Browns coaching search: Josh McDaniels to be interviewed Saturday according to Chris Mortensen
By Peter Smith
August 24, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New England Patriots 30-28. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns have been linked to New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels virtually the second the firing of Rob Chudzinski was announced. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen has reported the interview would take place Saturday in New England.
McDaniels still seems like the heavy favorite for the job, but the talk of Auburn’s Gus Malzahn and Vanderbilt’s James Franklin cannot be ignored. It is unclear when the Browns will talk to Franklin if he is even interested, but Malzahn is preoccupied with the Florida State Seminoles at the moment, so any contact being made there is through back channels.
It will be interesting to see if the scope of the coaching search changes after this interview Saturday. They might ramp up and seek out more candidates or slow it down and really narrow their search. McDaniels has connections to the area and Bill Belichick has connections to both he and general manager Mike Lombardi. Lombardi has said in the past that he really likes McDaniels as a potential head coach.