There’s still a chance that interim head coach Gregg Williams will have that label removed from his title and become the Cleveland Browns’ full-time head coach following the season.
Williams has led Cleveland to a 5-2 record in seven games since replacing the fired Hue Jackson in that role. It’s a dramatic turnaround for the long-fledgling franchise.
But according to this report from MMQB’s Albert Breer, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam seems to have taken a liking to Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Current Dolphins head coach Adam Gase is also in the conversation.
In an interesting piece of information, Breer also told 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland that Haslam will have the final word on who is hired following the season.
.@AlbertBreer on @BullandFox re: Jimmy Haslam's involvement in #Browns search: "I think he's gonna be involved. I think he likes Josh McDaniels. I think he likes Adam Gase. I think John's (Dorsey) gonna be given ability to lead the search, but, ultimately, it is the owner's team"
— Keith Britton (@KeithBritton86) December 26, 2018
People in Cleveland have been clamoring for Haslam to let the football people actually run the personnel and operations department. It doesn’t seem like Haslam is ready to accept that eventuality.
McDaniels would be an interesting hire in that he took the Indianapolis Colts job last winter before backing out at the last minute and returning to New England. A ton of people around the football world were not happy about that decision.
But on the field, McDaniels would do wonders with likely NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Baker Mayfield. That’s probably what entices Haslam so much.