When the Cleveland Browns fired coach Kevin Stefanski, it seemed as though they were entering a quiet coaching cycle around the NFL.
Changes in Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Buffalo, among others, quickly changed their luck. Suddenly, the Browns were forced to compete for the top head coaching candidates with a slew of prominent franchises.
While some of the biggest open jobs have been filled, the Browns’ search continues. Cleveland has seen Grant Udinski, Mike McDaniel, Chris Shula and Jesse Minter withdraw from the process, narrowing the field of candidates perhaps more than GM Andrew Berry could have expected.
Here’s a look at the latest Browns coaching rumors and why some of the top candidates turned them down.
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Browns coaching rumors
Browns flying to meet with Nate Scheelhase
With Udinski out of the running, the Browns are traveling to Los Angeles to meet with another up-and-coming assistant: Rams passing game specialist Nate Scheelhaase.
The 35-year-old Scheelhaase is finally free to meet with teams in-person after the Rams were eliminated in the NFC championship game, and he already completed a virtual interview with the Browns.
Grant Udinski withdraws from Browns’ search
Jacksonville Jaguars OC Grant Udinski has pulled out of the Browns’ coaching search, ESPN reported. Udinski has agreed to a new deal with the Jaguars but remains in the running for the Bills‘ head coaching job.
Udinski completed two interviews with the Browns and was believed to be a leading candidate for the job before withdrawing from the search. Just 30 years old, Udinski is set to spend another year alongside Liam Coen if he doesn’t land the Bills’ job.
Jim Schwartz still ‘very much in the mix’ for Browns
While younger candidates are receiving the most buzz, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is still “very much in the mix” for the Browns’ head coaching job, according to Cleveland.com. The veteran Schwartz, who spent five seasons as head coach of the Detroit Lions from 2009-13, has completed two interviews with the Browns and led a solid Browns defense under Stefanski in 2025.
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Why did Grant Udinski turn down Browns job?
Udinski agreed to a new deal with the Jaguars before pulling out of the Browns’ head coaching search, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported, but Udinski remains in the running for the Buffalo Bills’ head coaching job.
While even the Browns must understand why a coaching candidate would be more interested in coaching Josh Allen and the Bills, Udinski’s exit from their search while staying in Buffalo’s search has to sting. The 30-year-old Udinski is considered one of the NFL’s rising offensive minds despite never having called offensive plays; he served as Liam Coen’s right-hand man in Jacksonville in 2025, after receiving praise for his work with Sam Darnold in Minnesota.
With Udinski’s stock as high as it is, he evidently prefers staying the course in Jacksonville over taking the reins of a struggling Browns team if the Bills don’t hire him.
Why did Mike McDaniel turn down Browns job?
McDaniel withdrew from the Browns’ coaching search after interviewing for the job. He later became the Los Angeles Chargers‘ new offensive coordinator.
While the reason behind McDaniel’s exit from the search isn’t known, he had plenty of options this winter, including some other head coaching opportunities. That at least proved McDaniel shouldn’t have a hard time landing a head coaching job in the years ahead, so he might simply be waiting for a better opportunity to present itself.
In Los Angeles, McDaniel could see a chance to improve his stock even more as he works with Justin Herbert on an offense that will see its two starting tackles return to the field next season.
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Why did Chris Shula turn down Browns job?
The Browns requested to interview Shula, Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reported, but there is no record of Shula even completing a virtual interview, and Cleveland radio host Anthony Lima reported the team was told, “no thanks,” by the Rams defensive coordinator.
Shula wasn’t able to meet in-person with teams when the Rams were still alive in the playoffs, but he was able to interview virtually and did so with the Pittsburgh Steelers, among other teams. Shula didn’t land the jobs in Pittsburgh or Miami and nothing could stop the Browns from reaching out again, but he is evidently more comfortable as the leader of the Rams’ defense than as the potential head man in Cleveland.