Sports

Bruce Arians? Ken Whisenhunt? Cleveland Browns Coaching Search Revamped

With Chip Kelly off the board, where will Jimmy Haslam and Joe Banner go next?

About this time last week, I wasn't very high on Chip Kelly becoming the Cleveland Browns next head coach.

Yet somehow I spent too many moments of my weekend checking Twitter and ESPN to see if Kelly chose mashed or baked potatoes for his steak dinners with the Browns and Philadelphia Eagles.

Finally, on Sunday The Plain Dealer reported the Browns "walked away" because Kelly wouldn't likely leave the University of Oregon.

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Sure. I believe it.

Just like the nerd in high school who told everyone he just didn't thing taking the homecoming queen to prom wasn't going to work out. She didn't say no, he just didn't thing it was a good idea.

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No matter what Chip Kelly will stay in Oregon and Cleveland is back to square one.

There are many names being tossed around as the search continues.

Bruce Arians

Arians took over for Indianapolis Colts' head coach Chuck Pagano after he was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this season, leading Indy to a 9-3 record and a wild card spot in the playoffs.

Arians, the offensive coordinator, was hospitalized before Sunday's game against the Ravens, which they lost 24-9, but reports indicate he'll be just fine.

He was with the Browns in the Butch Davis era as an O-Coordinator, and even though I want nothing to do with Butch Davis, I am impressed with how Arians stepped into a tough situation and made it work. 

Sure, there was the emotional aspect of the situation, but I don't see that translating into nine wins and the playoffs. 

Ken Whisenhunt

My first reaction to the possibility of Ken Whisenhunt getting the job was, "The scrub coach who was fired from the terrible Arizona Cardinals?"

But, now that things have played out as they have, he's not that bad of a prospect. 

Think about it: He took the Cardinals to the Super Bowl and almost beat the Pittsburgh Steelers. Revenge, anyone?

He was an offensive coordinator for the Steelers years ago and even worked for the Browns in 1999, according to Terry Pluto.

I think he might be worth a shot, especially if he has a grudge against the Steelers.

Marc Trestman

He's coming from the Canadian Football League, eh?

The Associated Press is reporting Trestman, coach of the CFL's Montreal Alouettes, will be interviewed for the job.

While mentioning the CFL sounds desperate, it could make sense. 

He spent 17 years as a coach in the NFL, reaching the Super Bowl as the offensive coordinator with the Oakland Raiders.

I'm not crazy about it, but he has the offensive experience to make this intruiging enough.

The Rest

While his name hasn't been mentioned much, Kyle Shanahan would be a solid choice, and since his Redskins are out of the playoffs, he's not doing a whole lot right now.

Mike McCoy is still in the hunt as the Denver Broncos offensive genius. The Eagles looked to interview him, and I'm sure Browns' CEO Joe Banner would love to steal one of their favorite candidates.

Lovie Smith hasn't been talked about and that surprises me. Things went down hill in Chicago, but I don't think he was the main reason. He knows the game, has been to the Super Bowl and would be a good name to bring in. I'm not sold on him, but I wouldn't be disappointed either.


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