The Cleveland Browns are finding success this season, and as a result, they are finding coaches added to the NFL’s yearly “young coaches to watch” list. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero put the list together, and four of their current coaches found their names mentioned in the NFL.com article. The obvious headliner of coaches who were considered younger and who had never had a previous head coaching position.
Ventrone came over to the Browns this offseason after they moved on from former special teams coordinator Mike Priefer. Before coming to Cleveland, Ventrone was the special teams coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts for the past five seasons. He can also be remembered for his time as a special teams ace for the Browns during his tenure as a player from 2009-2012.
Here is the full list of Browns’ coaches who made the list, including a handful of additions who have ties to the organization and saw their names appear as well.
ST Coordinator Bubba Ventrone
Here is what NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero had to say about Ventrone:
“A 10-year NFL special teams standout, Ventrone started his coaching career as a special teams assistant with the Patriots in 2015 — earning a Super Bowl ring as a member of the 2016 Pats’ staff — before getting the Colts’ coordinator job in 2018. Now in his first year as the Browns’ assistant head coach, Ventrone gets even more time in front of the team. He is detailed and has a presence. He’s also experienced in game management and is known as a good talent evaluator who understands big-picture roster management. Ventrone coaches players hard, and they respect him for it.”
DBs coach Brandon Lynch
S coach Ephraim Banda
DL coach Ben Bloom
Honorable mention: Cardinals OC Drew Petzing
We are going to list Drew Petzing, now the offensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals as an honorable mention here, as he was with the Browns just a year ago as their quarterbacks coach. Here is what Pelissero had to say about the guy who spent three seasons in Cleveland:
“A one-time Middlebury College defensive back whose playing career was curtailed by injuries, Petzing broke into the NFL as a football operations intern with the Browns in 2013 before rising through the coaching ranks in Minnesota and again in Cleveland, then reuniting with former Vikings cohort Jonathan Gannon in Arizona this past offseason. The Cardinals have started three different QBs (and played extended stretches without other key players) in a rebuilding season. Other coaches laud the job Petzing has done under challenging circumstances, and his reputation has been positive at every stop in his young coaching career.”
Honorable mention: Chargers LB coach Jeff Howard
Howard spent the past three seasons as the passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach of the Browns. He was not retained after the team moved on from defensive coordinator Joe Woods.
Honorable mention: Texans LB coach Chris Kiffin
Kiffin was another former coach who was not retained by the Browns after they moved on from Woods. He spent the previous three seasons with the Browns.
Honorable mention: Buccaneers QB coach Thad Lewis
Another name on the infamous Browns’ quarterback jersey, Thad Lewis is now the quarterbacks coach in Tampa Bay working with another former Browns’ quarterback.
Honorable Mention: Panthers QB coach Josh McCown
Like Lewis, McCown spent two seasons under center with the Browns. He even had some flashy showings as the starting quarterback in 2015. If McCown wants to become a head coach, however, he’ll need his rookie quarterback to turn it around.
Honorable mention: Steelers WR coach Frisman Jackson
Former wide out during the early 2000s, Frisman Jackson is now the wide receivers coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He cracked the list.
Honorable mention: Ohio State OC/WR coach Brian Hartline
The last on the list with Browns ties: Ohio State offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Brian Hartline. He racked up 523 yards and two touchdowns on 46 catches in what would be the final year of his career.
