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Cleveland Browns: Looking at all reported potential head coach candidates

By Dan Justik

NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 16: General Manager of the Cleveland Browns John Dorsey on the sidelines before the start of the game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 16, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 16: General Manager of the Cleveland Browns John Dorsey on the sidelines before the start of the game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 16, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the Oklahoma Sooners reacts on the sidelines in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the Oklahoma Sooners reacts on the sidelines in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

Lincoln Riley – University of Oklahoma head coach

October 4th – The MMQB’s Albert Breer: “If they were going to make a move, I think they’d make a call to Lincoln Riley.” – via 92.3 The Fan

October 17th – The MMQB’s Albert Breer: Lincoln Riley is obvious because it’s Baker and because he’s an innovative offensive mind. The only question with Lincoln would be staffing if he would go to the NFL.” – via 92.3 The Fan

November 4th – NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport: “Lincoln Riley, Baker Mayfield’s former coach at Oklahoma. He’s expected to draw interest, not just from the Browns, but from several teams. I know he is on the NFL radar.”

Another college coach, Lincoln Riley will likely be at the top of every organization’s wish list to be their next head coach. His offense has taken over the college game, and his philosophy has trickled into NFL offenses.

Riley tailors his offense to who is playing quarterback, as the current offense with Kyler Murray is much different than what he was running with Mayfield at quarterback. But coaches adjusting thier offense to the personnel is what helps make offenses play well year after year.

The relationship between Riley and Mayfield cannot be overstated enough. Riley was Mayfield’s coach for three seasons, and Mayfield fit perfectly into Riley’s offense. If Riley were to join Mayfield in Cleveland, the expectation would be that Mayfield would once again excel in Riley’s offense.

It may be hard to convince Riley to leave Norman, however. Oklahoma is one of the best head coaching jobs in all of college football, and it has its benefits. Riley may not be willing to leave that job just two seasons after taking over as head coach.

Some believe that it would take a Jon Gruden-like offer to get Riley to leave Oklahoma. There is also some belief that Riley could be waiting for the Dallas Cowboys to come calling and offer him the opportunity to be their next head coach.

No matter what happens, it would be interesting and fun to watch Mayfield operate Riley’s offense with the Browns.

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