Cleveland Browns interview Sean McDermott

Oct 26, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott looks on during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Panthers 13-9. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

The Cleveland Browns are searching for the 16th full-time head coach in franchise history. On Sunday they interviewed Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott.

The Cleveland Browns continued the search for the 16th full-time head coach on Sunday as the team interviewed Carolina Panthers coordinator Sean McDermott.

McDermott is the latest in a growing list of candidates to be interviewed for the position, joining New England defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, 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.

Under McDermott the Panthers have had a Top 10 defense for the past four seasons, which should appeal to the Browns after seeing the highest-paid defense in the league struggle this season.

The Panthers had the sixth-best defense this season and were fourth against the run, giving up just 88.4 yards per game. By comparison, the Browns were 30th against the run after giving up 128.4 yards per game.

McDermott has only worked for two teams in the past 17 years – Carolina and the Philadelphia Eagles – so he could bring some form of stability to an organization that has been opposite of stability over the years.

It is also interesting to note that McDermott started his NFL career as a scouting administrative coordinator for the Eagles, a background that could make him attractive to the Browns new analytics-based approach to building a roster.

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He is also a coach who reportedly values consistency from his players, a positive trait to have but one that would not gel with players like Johnny Manziel and Justin Gilbert.

“There’s a story of an explorer who marched 20 miles a day regardless of the weather,” McDermott told Fox Sports last summer. “That’s what we talk to the players about. You have to be consistent. You’re going to get to your goals a lot sooner if you’re consistent regardless of the environment or atmosphere.”

If the Browns like what they hear from McDermott they will have to be patient. With the Panthers still in the playoffs, the Browns can’t make a move to hire McDermott until Carolina makes its exit, which may not be until after the Super Bowl.

It is the same situation the Browns find themselves in with Patricia, as the he can’t be hired until the Patriots are out of the playoffs.

Patience is not one of owner Jimmy Haslam’s best traits, so potentially waiting a couple of weeks for a coaching hire, while missing out on some other candidates, may not be his style.

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