Rich Scangarello would be key hire for Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns
By Dan Justik
The Cleveland Browns have their eyes on Rich Scangarello for Kevin Stefanski’s coaching staff, and he would be an important hire for the offense.
Kevin Stefanski is starting to fill out his first coaching staff with the Cleveland Browns, but has not made any hires at some of the most important positions. Stefanski is still looking for both coordinators, as well as finding a quarterbacks coach.
The offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach will be important hires because of the presence of Baker Mayfield. After struggling during his sophomore season in the NFL, Mayfield is going to need to show major signs of growth in his third season. Mayfield was statistically one of the worst starting quarterbacks in 2019.
Whatever scheme and play-calling the Browns use in 2020, as well as the coaching Mayfield receives during the week, will be key factors in Mayfield improving. If Cleveland plans on making a playoff run in 2020, Mayfield’s development will be the biggest factor in making that a possibility.
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Although Stefanski has not made a hire to guide the offense quite yet, it is evident he has a clear target for his offensive staff: Rich Scangarello. Scangarello interviewed with the Browns on Tuesday, and it is believed the interview was either to be the offensive coordinator or quarterbacks coach.
Scangarello has experience in both roles, as he was the 49ers quarterbacks coach in 2017 and 2018. His success in San Francisco landed him the Denver Broncos offensive coordinator job for 2019 and was the offensive play-caller. However, his communication issues with Broncos head coach Vic Fangio caused him to lose his job at the end of the season.
If the Browns hire Scangarello in either position, or potentially both, he has shown he can be a benefit to an offense. Scangarello worked with Jimmy Garoppolo in San Francisco and Garoppolo proved to be an effective quarterback during their time working together. Scangarello’s play-calling at the end of 2019 also helped rookie Drew Lock play well and go 4-1 in games he started.
It is evident Scangarello works well with his quarterbacks and will put them in position for success. He has shown he can help the quarterback, whether it is because of his play-calling on game days or working with the quarterback throughout the season.
With the Browns knowing they need a turnaround from Mayfield, Scangarello can be the perfect coach to be with the quarterback every day of the season. Mayfield showed he had issues with his fundamentals during the season and Scangarello’s experience as a quarterbacks coach should help Mayfield clean up his technique throughout the season.
Mayfield suffered with Ryan Lindley in 2019, an inexperienced quarterbacks coach. Scangarello will know how to handle being the quarterbacks coach and how to create a game plan for practices. At the very least, he would create a better structure for Mayfield throughout the season.
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If the Browns do decide to hire Scangarello, he could become a key to the Browns success in 2020. The Browns are entering a key time in Mayfield’s development, and Scangarello could be the perfect coach to lead the development.