It seems kind of cruel that Romeo Crennel is still coaching the Browns, yet the main topic of conversation about the team is who will be the next coach. It’s a foregone conclusion that Crennel will not be back after this disappointing season, however, outside of Bill Cowher, we haven’t seen or heard of any candidates for the position.
The first thing that has to be decided is who will be in charge. Will Phil Savage remain as General Manager? If he isn’t, then that position has to be filled first, and then the new GM should have the opportunity to pick his own coach, something Savage wasn’t afforded a chance to do. At this point, that’s a bigger question because I don’t think Savage would want Marty Schottenheimer as the next head coach.
Who should be the next Browns’ coach? A better question would be what characteristics should the next Browns’ coach have?
First, the days of the easy-going coach should be over. It’s time for a disciplinarian, someone who will crack the whip. Since the Browns have returned to the NFL, they really have never gone that route. Butch Davis looked the part, but he didn’t bring the same discipline that a guy like Bill Parcells or Jimmy Johnson brought. Chris Palmer and Romeo Crennel might be good tactical coaches, but they allowed the inmates to run the asylum.
Second, it should be a coach who emphasizes the fundamentals, like running the ball and stopping the run, and he conveys that idea to the GM, who then gets the players who fit that criteria. The Browns have been searching for an identity since 1999. The next coach needs to have an idea of what will work in Cleveland in November and December, and the strength to stick with the program.
The new coach needs to be a defensive presence with the confidence to have an offensive coordinator who will be aggressive. The Browns have never had a dominant defense in all my years following the team, which dates back to the mid-1960’s. It’s time to build one. Let’s get after the passer and put pressure on the other team’s offense for a change. And if that involves blitzing, then so be it.
Crennel’s successor should also be young, so he can be in charge for more than a couple of years. The last two points eliminate Schottenheimer, who at 65 would probably only be interested in the gig for a couple of years. Look at Baltimore and Pittsburgh, who hired young vibrant guys to head their teams. There is nothing wrong with playing follow the leader.
At this point, management should be looking at what has worked around the league and then adapt it to Cleveland. They say offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships. Why haven’t the Browns won since 1964? They haven’t developed a championship defense.
It’s time to use this opportunity to finally set a direction for this franchise. If Phil Savage is going to be here, he needs to hire a coach that shares his vision of what a winning football team will be. Everybody makes fun of Mark Shapiro and Eric Wedge, but they have the same vision. Mike Brown and Danny Ferry have a similar relationship with the Cavaliers. I don’t think that is the case right now with the Browns.
If they want to return this team to the glory days of the 50’s and 60’s, they need that type of leadership.
MW
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