The Cleveland Browns acting quickly this offseason to get their new defensive coordinator, hiring Jim Schwartz almost one month ago. Now both defensive backs coach Jeff Howard and defensive line coach Chris Kiffin have moved on leaving Schwartz the chance to add some of his guys to the staff.
The former Detroit Lions head coach has a long career and has worked with a bunch of talented coaches in his time in the league. I have three names that worked with Schwartz in Philadelphia when he was the defensive coordinator that he may pursue to come to Cleveland with him for the 2023 season.
Former Defensive Line coach Phillip Daniels
Phillip Daniels is a former defensive end who was drafted in the fourth round in 1996 and played for three teams before retiring in 2010. He started his coaching career under Jim Schwartz in 2016 as the assistant defensive line coach. He would keep that role for three seasons before being promoted to defensive line coach in 2019 under Schwartz.
Currently, he is set to be a coach in the XFL this year and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Browns brought him to Cleveland to replace Chris Kiffin with his relationship with Schwartz.
Former secondary coach Dino Vasso
A possible replacement for Jeff Howard, Dino Vasso was with Jim Schwartz in Philadelphia his entire tenure. He started as an assistant secondary coach before becoming the assistant coordinator for defense in 2020. He currently is the Houston Texans cornerbacks coach but the Browns could lure him away with a promotion to passing game coordinator.
A young coach at only 35, Vasso has been coaching since 2013 when he was an assistant with the Kansas City Chiefs. Another guy the Browns could want who has years of experience with Schwartz and his scheme.
Former Defensive line coach Chris Wilson
Chris Wilson has an impressive resume as he first started coaching in 1993 when he was a graduate assistant for Indiana State. Another guy that specializes in defensive line play was with Schwartz from 2016-2018 in Philadelphia. He was the defensive coordinator for Colorado for the last two seasons before Deion Sanders was hired.
He is set to also coach in the XFL as a defensive coordinator but the Browns could likely lure him away. He has a long history of being a solid defensive line coach and with experience running defenses himself, he could be a really solid target.
