Browns coaching search: Fallout from the weekend

Jul 27, 2013; Spartanburg, SC USA; Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) talks with defensive coordinator Sean McDermott at Wofford College. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The results of the playoff games have had a couple of effects on the Cleveland Browns in their search for a head coach.  The Browns will have to wait another week at least to talk to Adam Gase, the offensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos, with their win over the San Diego Chargers.  Ken Whisenhunt is now available to be hired.  Most expect he will end up with the Detroit Lions, but the Browns are supposed to have interviewed him on Saturday.

The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Carolina Panthers, so defensive coordinator Sean McDermott is now free to pursue a head coaching job if that is what he wants to do.  A report last week suggested the Browns could look to interview McDermott this week.  They now have the green light to do it.  If they were to hire McDermott, it would be the second year in a row where they hired a Carolina assistant for their head coaching job.

The Browns have maintained they feel no pressure to make a hire quickly and are doing everything in their power to make sure they get this right.  They could certainly wait until Gase is available to pursue him and then decide who it is they really want to hire.  Nevertheless, Whisenhunt and McDermott are now officially in play.