2022 hasn’t gone the way Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods has wanted it which could leave him looking for a job after the season.
Joe Woods hasn’t had a great tenure as the Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator as his third season with the team continues. His playcalling and scheme have been questioned all season and his players struggle to maintain assignments and communication.
To top it all off at times the effort and passion aren’t there, let’s look at three coaches who could replace him in 2023.
3 defensive coordinator candidates to replace Browns Joe Woods
No. 3: Mike Zimmer
The Browns need a confident leader on the defensive side of the ball that could instill disciple and that’s exactly what they would get with Mike Zimmer. Zimmer wasn’t able to be consistent as a head coach but you can’t question his passion and leadership.
If the Browns retain head coach Kevin Stefanski as well the relationship with Zimmer would make sense to unit the pair in Cleveland. From 2011 on, as the coordinator in Cincinnati and head coach in Minnesota, Zimmer’s defensive ranks in terms of points allowed were only outside the top 10 three times.
Zimmer is a highly respected coach and has the track record to get players to buy into his philosophy and scheme. If the Browns are to replace Woods, which seems like a given at this point, getting a confident leader with a track record is the route they should absolutely follow.
Will Stefanski call his former boss to fix the defense, only time will tell.
No. 2: Vic Fangio
Strong leadership and a good resume are the exact criteria the team should be using to select their next defensive coordinator and that’s what Vic Fangio brings. Fangio has over 20 years of coaching experience in the NFL including three years as the head coach of the Denver Broncos.
Just like Mike Zimmer, Fangio is one of the most respected coaches in the league and could really inspire some of the young talents on the roster. Even in the season that got Fangio fired as the head coach of the Broncos his team was third in the NFL in points allowed.
In seven of his last ten seasons as a coach, his teams were top 10 in points allowed defensively a track record the Browns would love to have on their team. Fangio is aggressive and really tries to light a fire under his players which is something fans have wanted to see from Joe Woods for the past three seasons.
One of the biggest questions when looking at coordinators is rather the Browns will keep head coach Kevin Stefanski or if they find a former head coach to help Stefanski overall. Only time will tell but the Browns must change something in the offseason if they want to compete.
No. 1: Brian Flores
The Cleveland Browns should call Brian Flores and offer him whatever it will take to get him in brown and orange next season. Players consistently praise Flores and how much they enjoy playing for him which is the polar opposite of what they currently have.
In a season in which everyone thought the Dolphins were tanking it was clear Flores wasn’t. When many believed there was a lack of talent on the team Flores consistently put them in a position to succeed and won games no one thought they could. He is both a motivator as well as a great defensive mind when it comes to scheme and play-calling.
If you want to see one of the biggest reasons to like Flores look at the Dolphin’s defense this season with Flores gone. They are a lot of the same players but not ranked or playing nearly as well as they did under Flores. Plainly put Flores puts his players in the best position to make plays week in and week out.
The Pittsburgh Steelers may not give the Browns the chance to lure Flores away but if they do it would be a homerun hire if the Browns could make it happen.