Three Cleveland Browns coaches were named as future head coach candidates by Sports Illustrated. Sports Illustrated publishes an exhaustive list of head coaching candidates every year. The list highlights the best coordinators and position coaches in the NFL.
Mike Vrabel was the first coach to see his name mentioned. The former head coach of the Titans will draw much interest across the NFL and college. The Ohio native is a popular name within the state as head coaches Kevin Stefanski, Zac Taylor and Ryan Day cycle through sitting on the hot seat.
I would love to see him back in the scarlet and gray. Vrabel is an intelligent, tough, and honest coach. He can get a program back on track. Vrabel will have his pick of jobs come the winter.
Bubba Ventrone was the next Browns coach mentioned as a potential head coach. Sports Illustrated isolated special teams coordinators, who rarely get a chance to be a head coach, despite having more success than other coordinator roles. Ventrone has had a tough season in Cleveland – the special teams unit ranks near the bottom of the league.
Browns’ tight end coach, Tommy Rees, was the final coach listed. He was labeled as a newcomer to watch. Rees was the offensive coordinator for Notre Dame and Alabama before joining the Browns. It’ll be interesting to see if Rees rejoins the college ranks at the end of the season.
The Browns aren’t likely to have a coaching search this season. However, a handful of former Browns coaches will be interviewing for head coach jobs this winter. Former Browns head coach, Bill Belichick, and quarterback coach, Drew Petzing are the two biggest names looking for a job. The NFL season is halfway over and organizations out of the playoff race must start building towards the 2026 season.
