There has been a lot going on since the Cleveland Browns made Todd Monken their next head coach a few weeks ago. In the end, DC Jim Schwartz’s departure from the team became the biggest storyline, but Monken has stayed busy trying to fill his staff, including the now vacant defensive coordinator position.
The Monken hire has not been graded well, but there is little doubt about his history of improving offenses as an assistant coach. Now, it is his job to fill out a staff with assistants that can help him do the same thing, as well as keep the defense at a high level, in Cleveland.
The Browns do not traditionally make their coaching staff official until right before the NFL combine at the end of February. Based on reports, this is what we know about Monken’s staff:
- OC Travis Switzer
- OL coach George Warhop
- Asst. OL coach Bobby Johnson
- Offensive Quality Control Ian Kolste
- QB coach Mike Bajakian
- Asst. QB coach Matt Baker (H/T to DBN reader Jake71)
- Pass game coordinator Danny Breyer
- TE coach Jeff Blasko
- Chief of Staff John Carr
- WR coach Christian Jones
- RB coach Duce Staley
- Asst. OL coach Sanders Davis
- Special Teams Coordinator Byron Storer
Monken had reportedly recruited from his Baltimore Ravens days to hire Associate HC Daniel Stern, but he is now reportedly joining the Seattle Seahawks.
As for the open defensive coordinator position, there have been reports that Monken has either spoken to, plans to interview, or interviewed:
- Jonathan Cooley, defensive pass game coordinator for the Carolina Panthers
- Mike Ruttenberg, defensive pass game coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons
- Charlie Bullen, interim defensive coordinator for the New York Giants – Reportedly staying with the Giants
- Aubrey Pleasant, assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams
- Jason Tarver, linebackers coach for the Browns
- Ephraim Banda, safeties coach for the Browns
- Cory Undlin, pass game coordinator for the Houston Texans
With the NFL combine just two weeks away, we should get even more clarity on Monken’s Browns staff soon.