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Cleveland Browns interview Matt Patricia

By Thomas Moore

Dec 28, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia watches from the sideline as they take on the Buffalo Bills in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Buffalo Bills defeated the Patriots 17-9. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia watches from the sideline as they take on the Buffalo Bills in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Buffalo Bills defeated the Patriots 17-9. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia watches from the sideline as they take on the Buffalo Bills in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Buffalo Bills defeated the Patriots 17-9. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia watches from the sideline as they take on the Buffalo Bills in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Buffalo Bills defeated the Patriots 17-9. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

The Cleveland Browns are searching for the 16th full-time head coach in franchise history. On Saturday they interviewed New England defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.

The Cleveland Browns continued the search for the 16th full-time head coach on Saturday as the team interviewed New England defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.

Patricia is the fifth candidate to be interviewed for the position, joining Dallas Cowboys secondary coach Jerome Henderson, Jacksonville Jaguars assistant head coach/offensive line coach Doug Marrone, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase.

There are two names on that list that the Browns will definitely not be hiring as Gase agreed to become head coach of the Miami Dolphins earlier in the day and Henderson will reportedly join him as the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator.

Patricia is currently in his fourth season as the defensive coordinator for the Patriots, and his 12th year overall as an NFL coach.

He has been working with the Patriots’ defense since 2006, helping the team finish in the top-10 in fewest points allowed in eight of his nine seasons with the defense.

Patricia has drawn a lot of attention as in addition to his coaching skills he holds a degree in aeronautical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is also considered by some to be a good match for the Browns new analytics-driven approach to building an NFL roster.

He is also a coach who reportedly drives his players to achieve.

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“He’s relentless in trying to put us in the best possible position,” New England’s Rob Ninkovich told The Boston Globe earlier this year. “The hours that he puts in — unbelievable, and he’s never satisfied. He’s always trying to push me to be a better football player, and he knows how to push my buttons.”

One thing that might work against Patricia is that after tomorrow the Browns and other teams will have to wait until the Patriots are done with the playoffs to talk to him again. If the Patriots make it to the Super Bowl, the Browns could interview Patricia a second time after the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 24 and no later than Jan. 31.

It could be hard to be patient if the Browns find another candidate that they like and are afraid of missing on while waiting for Patricia to become available.

The Browns will continue their interviews on Sunday, when they meet with Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson and Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott.

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