Get to know the Browns defensive coordinator candidates

So, who will be the Browns defensive coordinator?

The question surrounding who the Browns will hire comes down to the perceived problems versus the long-term goals. This is a classic case of short a term versus long-term decisions.

Do they hire the guy they need now to clean up the defense? Or do they hire a guy whose long-term prospects can lead to sustained success? The decision is really between two candidates unless someone just knocks them off their feet.

Brian Flores would be a good candidate but the turnover necessary to implement his vision would be too great a cost. This is especially true if he finds success in Cleveland, he will be a hot candidate for a head coaching position. It’s simply not worth turning over the defensive roster simply to have a guy leave after one or two seasons.

Would love to see it happen, but it’s not the right fit for Cleveland right now. Not sure the Browns are a good fit for Flores right now who has a good position with a team with a good defense. Flores may want to feel out potential head coaching jobs before considering coordinator positions.

Jerod Mayo is an interesting candidate. He should get a lot of interest after new head coaching positions are made. He’s a hard worker in the mold of Bill Belichick. Like Flores, he could eventually turn being the linebackers coach in New England into a head coaching position. But Mayo may need too many changes to the system to work out in Cleveland right now. The Browns as an organization seem to be committed to the cover 3 defense. It would take a strong candidate to move them off it.

Speaking of a strong candidate, some here at Dawg Pound Daily feel Jim Schwartz should be the next defensive coordinator. Schwartz makes sense as the pick if the Browns decide to find someone to fix the short-term problems. He has the experience to come in and turn things around quickly. He also makes sense as someone who can support Stefanski.

But his long-term viability is in question. He has already stepped away from coaching once. He may feel like returning to where it all began would be fun. But how long will the party last? He is the guy to fix short-term problems. But he’s not the guy to bring sustained long-term success.

The Dr. is in the house!

No, the best choice for the Browns would be Dr. Defense himself, Sean Desai. He has the educational background holding a degree from Columbia and a doctorate from Temple. He has worked his way up the NFL ladder with the Chicago Bears.

But the final touch is that he is well versed in the cover 3 scheme the Browns love. He might be open to retaining the position coaches should he want them. There would be no need to turn over the roster.

He would bring continuity schematically. He brings an Ivy League education. He may not be the “It” name on the list of candidates. He may not solve the short-term problems immediately. But he’s exactly what the Browns are looking for in terms of creating long-term sustainable success.

The Cleveland Browns need to bring the Dr. into the house. Make the call.

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