After an exhaustive three-week search for a new head coach, the Cleveland Browns settled on Todd Monken and fans are not pleased.
Monken, who previously served as the offensive co-ordinator for the Browns in 2019, had been Baltimore’s OC for the past three seasons, helping put together one of the league’s best rushing offences featuring former MVP Lamar Jackson and All-Pro running back Derrick Henry.
However, the 59-year-old Monken had never served as a head coach in the NFL and had a record of 13-26 in NCAA football with Southern Mississippi.
Monken takes over for Kevin Stefanski, a two-time NFL coach of the year award winner who was fired earlier this month after the Browns put up a 5-12 record this season.
Cleveland reportedly interviewed 10 candidates for the coaching vacancy, while Stefanski was hired as the new head coach of the Atlanta Falcons last week.
Among the finalists were Browns defensive co-ordinator Jim Schwartz and Los Angeles Rams passing game co-ordinator Nate Scheelhaase. Schwartz reportedly left the team’s facility on Wednesday after being informed of the Browns’ decision to hire Monken, telling other coaches that he would not return.
Cleveland also talked to former offensive co-ordinator Tommy Rees (who has joined Stefanski in Atlanta), Mike McDaniel, Aden Durde, Dan Pitcher, Jesse Minter, Grant Udinski and Anthony Lynn.
What was the reaction online?
The Browns made the official announcement on Wednesday afternoon with online reaction from fans being overwhelmingly negative.
“That is the absolute worst you could have done,” Cleveland radio host Jonathan Peterlin said. “I wanted a young offensive coach. With Lamar Jackson, he wasn’t able to make it work.”
“If we hire Todd Monken I’m canceling my tickets. 45 years in the toilet,” one user wrote when reports emerged that Monken was close to sealing the deal.
“One of the most robust coaching searches in league history and you settled with TODD MONKEN???” another user replied to the news.
“Todd Monken was one of the worst offensive coordinators the Browns have had in the past decade,” a third user began. “When we got rid of him he went to ruin a powerhouse Georgia offense and then ruin a powerhouse Baltimore Ravens offence and now he is the Browns head coach.
“This team is hopeless.”
Another user pointed out reports that during his previous stint in Cleveland, Monken reportedly trashed the team when speaking to opposing coaches, calling the Browns a “total mess.”
Many fans on social media were quick to joke about what Monken could do with rookie QB Shedeur Sanders, who controversially was named to the Pro Bowl earlier this week.
“Todd Monken to the Browns. Actually gets to run his offense with a Pro Bowl QB for a change. Love it,” NFL fantasy analyst Ian Hartitz wrote.
Hire creates more questions
Monken being hired by the Browns could also cause an interesting ripple effect across the league.
He reportedly had the inside track to follow ex-Ravens head coach John Harbaugh to the Giants as his OC and also interviewed with the Bucs for the same role.
Should Schwartz officially leave the team, he also would become a top candidate for any defensive co-ordinator opening.
The move also came a day after the Buffalo Bills announced that they had promoted offensive co-ordinator Joe Brady to fill their head coaching vacancy — which also was met with much derision online.