Browns Head Coach Search: New Candidate Emerges as a Strong Contender
As of January 17, 2026, the coaching landscape is buzzing with activity. With the New York Giants officially securing John Harbaugh under contract, the Cleveland Browns, along with seven other NFL teams, are still on the hunt for their next head coach. The Browns have publicly confirmed that they have conducted interviews with nine different candidates so far. Notably, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, despite a somewhat rocky history of transitioning from coordinator roles to head coaching positions within the same franchise, has already been lined up for a second interview.
Interestingly, reports indicate that Cleveland's offensive coordinator, Tommy Rees, will not be receiving a second interview and is unlikely to return to the team in any role next season. This decision highlights the Browns’ commitment to exploring a range of options as they seek to fill this crucial position.
Although the Browns have disclosed the names of the nine candidates they've interviewed, it's important to note that teams are not mandated to make such announcements. Coaches' agents often prefer these announcements as they can create a buzz and signify progress to fans. Consequently, there may have been several interviews conducted across the league that remain unannounced. For instance, there's a report suggesting that Jeff Hafley, the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, has also interviewed with Cleveland. Hafley previously served as the Browns’ secondary coach about a decade ago. After moving to the college ranks, he held a co-defensive coordinator position at The Ohio State University before advancing to become the head coach at Boston College. In 2024, he returned to the NFL, taking on his current role with the Packers.
While there’s speculation that Hafley might be the leading candidate for the Miami Dolphins’ head coach position, this marks the first confirmation of his interview with the Browns.
What are your thoughts on Hafley as a potential candidate for the Browns? Do you believe this interview was kept under wraps, or could there be inaccuracies in the reporting? We’d love to hear your opinions—feel free to share your insights in the comments below!
