The Cleveland Browns head coach search has come to an end. There are still a lot of things to be ironed out, including around DC Jim Schwartz, but Todd Monken is the Browns 23rd head coach and Cleveland fans are still digesting that fact.
Monken’s history is an interesting one, including his recent success as offensive coordinator with the Georgia Bulldogs and with the Baltimore Ravens. Monken has reportedly already brought over one coach from his time with the Ravens and could fill out his staff with a lot of names from his past.
His past, specifically with the team he now leads, is an interesting one. Monken’s one year as the Browns offensive coordinator in 2019 was mostly a mess. A quick reminder, HC Freddie Kitchens called plays on offense with QB Baker Mayfield, RBs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, and WRs Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry.
That team finished 6-10, Mayfield threw 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions, and Kitchens was fired after one season. Following the season, labeled a “total mess,” came news that Monken was willing to tell anyone and everyone about the problems on the team:
Multiple sources told The Athletic that late in the season, Monken would spend time on the field before games telling opposing coaches how bad things were with the Browns, calling the team a “total mess” and saying that Kitchens’ Sunday play calling generally steered away from most things that had been in the game plan from Wednesday-Saturday.
While what Monken was saying proved to be true, deciding to air your own team’s dirty laundry during the season and right before games is highly unprofessional. Monken was in his 50s at the time, so he doesn’t have the excuse of youth.
It will be interesting if Monken and/or owner Jimmy Haslam or GM Andrew Berry are asked about Monken’s previous stay and these reports. Zac Jackson, who wrote the story linked above, still covers the team and will likely be at the introductory press conference.
Now, Monken is driving the bus and has a chance to make sure the team is far from a “total mess.” Given the issues around the organization, a “slight mess” in 2026 might be a welcome outcome.
