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Paul DePodesta to lead Cleveland Browns coaching search

By Randy Gurzi

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 11: Cleveland Browns helmets rest on the bench prior to a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 11: Cleveland Browns helmets rest on the bench prior to a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta has gained more power in the organization and will be the one in charge of their new coaching search

The Cleveland Browns might seem like they’re a mess right now, but that might not be the case. While they have fired head coach Freddie Kitchens and parted with general manager John Dorsey, this looks to be more than Jimmy and Dee Haslam being indecisive.

Instead, it appears they’re turning things over to someone who has had a growing voice in the front office Paul DePodesta. The chief strategy officer was in on the coach interviews last year and reportedly wanted to hire Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski — who is set to interview again.

Cleveland instead went with Freddie Kitchens, which was the choice of John Dorsey. Hindsight is 20/20 but we can say now that Dorsey’s choice wasn’t the right one. We still don’t know if DePodesta’s preferred guy would be better, but we are about to find out.

According to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, DePodesta won’t have a new job title but he will be the one deciding on the next head coach.

This news comes as a relief to Cleveland fans who were worried the Haslams could step in and make another poor hire. DePodesta has general manager experience in his background, but that was with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

He’s also well-known for his time with the Oakland Athletics where he was part of the analytics movement that inspired the book and movie Moneyball.

In addition to Stefanski, DePodesta was rumored to be high on New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

Either way, it appears the Browns are going all-in with the analytics expert and they could be eyeing a young, offensive mind.

Next. New Year's Day 7-Round mock draft. dark

Although this time, the choices will have had more time in coordinator roles than Freddie Kitchens did.

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