Cleveland Browns Hire Todd Monken As Head Coach
Todd Monken was named the Browns' head coach on Jan. 28 after a three-week search that included multiple candidate withdrawals.
Overview
Todd Monken, the Baltimore Ravens' offensive coordinator, was named the Cleveland Browns' 19th full-time head coach on Jan. 28, 2026, the team said after a three-week search.
The hire comes as Cleveland went 5-12 in 2025 and 8-26 over the past two seasons and holds the sixth and 24th overall picks in the April draft, Andrew Berry said in a statement.
Grant Udinski withdrew his name and Mike McDaniel and Jesse Minter canceled interviews, according to multiple reports, and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, under contract for one season, may seek other openings.
Monken is the seventh head coach hired by owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam since 2012, and the previous six accumulated a 73-139-1 regular-season record, team records show.
Jimmy Haslam said on Jan. 5 that "the next 120 days are crucial" as Monken must quickly address the quarterback situation, free agency and ten Cleveland draft picks, the owners said.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the hire as cautious and symptomatic of ownership dysfunction by emphasizing the Haslams' poor coach-record, spotlighting Jim Schwartz as the expected choice and the risk he may leave, and stressing the Watson 'swing-and-miss' setback. Editorial choices—selection of team history, win-loss stats, and quoted owner admissions—create a narrative of instability.
Sources (4)
FAQ
The Browns hired Todd Monken after a poor 5-12 record in 2025 and 8-26 over two seasons, following a three-week search amid candidate withdrawals.
Monken served as the Cleveland Browns' offensive coordinator in 2019, helping generate a strong rushing attack behind Nick Chubb who rushed for 1,494 yards.
Candidates like Grant Udinski withdrew, Mike McDaniel and Jesse Minter canceled interviews, and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz may seek other jobs.
As Ravens OC for three seasons, Monken led two of the league's highest-scoring offenses and in 2024, Baltimore led in total and rushing offense.
Monken must address the quarterback situation including Deshaun Watson, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders, free agency, and ten draft picks in the next 120 days.
History
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