Editor's note: Tony Grossi covers the Cleveland Browns for ESPN 850 WKNR.
As chaotic as things appear – again – with the Browns, I don’t disagree with interim coach Gregg Williams when he says, “We are a lot closer than a lot of people think.”
Williams added, “There are an awful lot of good things here.”
True again.
“But we have to win.”
That’s where the coach comes in.
The Browns have their franchise quarterback (Baker Mayfield), their elite pass rusher (Myles Garrett), and their shutdown cornerback (Denzel Ward).
They are still without a No. 1 wide receiver and reliable offensive tackles.
But the No. 1 focus of owner Jimmy Haslam and General Manager John Dorsey must turn to the head coach. They have to get this one right.
Counting Williams, linebacker Christian Kirksey said, “This is my third head coach in five years.”
The Steelers have had three head coaches in 50 years.
Since buying the franchise in 2012, Haslam has hired Rob Chudzinski, Mike Pettine and Hue Jackson.
He relied on CEO Joe Banner for the first hire after several candidates said, “No, thanks.” Pettine was chosen with the second hire when Haslam didn’t want to wait another week for Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to get through the Super Bowl. Jackson was a collaborative hire of Haslam, wife Dee, Sashi Brown, Paul DePodesta and Jed Hughes of head-hunter firm Korn Ferry.
Haslam said this coaching search would be another collaborative effort, but he has not elaborated beyond that.
It is assumed that Haslam will rely heavily on GM John Dorsey to make this hire. He’d better.
They’re the men: I used to think a quarterback alone can flip a franchise’s fortunes and turn everyone in an organization into geniuses. Of course, that’s a flawed, overly simplistic view.
I once asked Ernie Accorsi, the great Colts, Browns and Giants general manager, and a fabulous sports historian, if he could have the league’s best quarterback or the league’s best coach, which would he choose.
Accorsi adored Johnny Unitas, and over his illustrious career drafted John Elway, Bernie Kosar and Eli Manning. I was sure his answer would be to have the quarterback.
After several seconds of deliberation, Accorsi responded, “I’d have to say the best coach. Because the quarterback has to have the coach to develop him.”
When Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota were drafted 1-2 in 2015, I thought both were future Super Bowl quarterbacks. Winston has had one winning season in four years – and two coaches. Mariota has had two winning seasons and one playoff appearance, and is on his third coach.
Derek Carr has had four coaches in five years – and four losing seasons.
Those supposed franchise quarterbacks have not been matched with the right coach yet to reach their full potential.
So Mayfield alone is not a sure thing. He needs the right coach to tailor an offense to him and maximize his skill set. If Mayfield’s ceiling is Drew Brees, the Browns have to find him his Sean Payton.
That should be Dorsey’s task.
The search is on: Owners talk about “sustained success” all the time. The secret is having your general manager pair up a great quarterback with a good, if not great, coach.
Think Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. Brees and Payton. Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy. Ben Roethlisberger and Bill Cowher, then Mike Tomlin. Most recently: Carson Wentz and Doug Pederson. Jared Goff and Sean McVay.
In the Not For Long league, GMs have one chance at drafting the quarterback and one chance at hiring the head coach. You miss on one, and you’re done, anymore.
Dorsey, 58, has been an NFL scout, personnel director and general manager for 27 years. He has never hired a head coach.
There are so many choices to make – young or old, offense or defense, unproven or retread, college or pros, Xs and Os-type or master delegator?
The Browns’ job probably ranks among the most desirable for the first time in a long time because of the presence of Mayfield, Garrett and Ward; the team’s $40 million-plus fortress in salary cap space; the stockpile of 10 draft picks in 2019; and a respected football operations department assembled by Dorsey.
The candidates are filing in among all categories.
Youngish NFL offensive types: Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Vikings offensive coordinator John DeFilippo, Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr., and Titans offensive coordinator Matt LeFleur, Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Taylor.
NFL defensive types: Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards, 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, Giants defensive coordinator James Bettcher, Bengals defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.
NFL retreads: Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Packers coach Mike McCarthy (if available), Ravens coach John Harbaugh (if available), Dolphins coach Adam Gase (if available).
Outside the box: Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub.
College types: Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley, Iowa State coach Matt Campbell, Stanford coach David Shaw, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.
That is at least 20 names right there, and you know somebody will become available in January who is not considered a candidate right now.
Haslam has not even assured that Dorsey will be his point man in the newest Browns coaching search. But if he is, it most likely will be the last coach Dorsey ever selects.
Good luck. We – and Mayfield – are all counting on you.