Why can’t the Browns keep good coaches?

Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.

Takeaways from the resignation of Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz ... 

1. At the onset of their covered stadium campaign to solicit public funding to offset the cost of the ambitious $2.1 billion project, the Haslams often asked critics, “Why can’t Cleveland have nice things?” To which I now counter, “Why can’t the Browns keep good coaches?” Jim Schwartz is the latest to leave of his own volition. The defensive coordinator penned a letter of resignation about a week after getting passed over for the head coach position he felt deserving of. Schwartz now rounds out a Mount Rushmore of great coaches the Browns have employed under Haslam ownership who have forced their exits from the company for various reasons.

2. In 2015, Kyle Shanahan put together a 32-point power-point presentation to break his contract as offensive coordinator due to the dysfunction caused by GM Ray Farmer forcing substance abuse-addled quarterback Johnny Manziel on the coaches. In 2024, offensive line coach Bill Callahan politely asked out to join his son Brian, who had been named head coach of the Tennessee Titans. That was a fine cover for Callahan, who was upset that offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt was fired despite keeping the offense together through five quarterback starters and making the playoffs in 2023. Callahan, who disagreed with the front office mandate to tailor the offense to accommodate Deshaun Watson, recently rejoined Kevin Stefanski as his offensive line coach and lead advisor with the Atlanta Falcons. So did Van Pelt, as Stefanski's QB coach. In 2025, Mike Vrabel left after his one-year sabbatical as coach and personnel consultant ran out. Vrabel made a beeline to the New England Patriots, and now is completing a team turnaround from 4-13 to the Super Bowl on Sunday in his first season as head coach. The Browns weren’t ready after one terrible season to replace Stefanski and never considered a full-time position for Vrabel. At the NFL combine in 2025, however, Vrabel told me, “I would’ve listened.” Now Schwartz has stomped out after overseeing a defensive unit that has been the lone source of pride of the entire organization for three years running.

3. According to Diana Russini of The Athletic, the Browns told Schwartz that based on a study conducted by their analytics department, he ranked as the NFL’s best defensive coordinator over the past 12 seasons. This tidbit might have been conveyed to him prior to their recent head coach search. It’s probably another reason why Schwartz felt so confident that he would be rewarded with a promotion to head coach and so hurt when he was passed over. At 59, it likely was Schwartz’s last, best chance at running his own program and proving he could be a winning head coach in his second time at it.

4. All the circumstances are different, obviously. But why would the Browns take a hard line against Schwartz when they didn’t against Shanahan or Callahan? A source in the league familiar with interactions between NFL owners and coaches believes the Browns may be following the instruction of league management executives who want to stem the tide of coaches breaking contracts for greener pastures. Schwartz has two years, including a club option, on his Browns deal. The source said the Browns should have demanded some type of compensation for allowing Shanahan and Callahan to leave. The Browns’ stance is that Schwartz coaches for them or sits out the 2026 season. What if the Las Vegas Raiders or Patriots come calling to interview Schwartz for a place on their coaching staff? Would the Browns seek a draft pick in compensation? “Absolutely,” said the source. “That’s what this is about.”

5. Some believe that with the amount of talent given Schwartz that just about any coordinator can take over and the Browns’ wouldn’t miss a beat. Or that his impact as a play-caller was over-stated. The fact is Schwartz’s influence on the defense transcended just calling plays or lining guys up in the best spots. Listen to what linebacker Carson Schwesinger, the NFL rookie defensive player of the year, said on an appearance on Up & Adams on Radio Row at the Super Bowl. “This year I loved playing for Schwartz," Schwesinger said. "It was a great opportunity for me. I loved the belief he showed in me. I think that was pretty special. Whatever he does, he’s somebody that’s been instrumental in the first year I had. One of the things he always harped on was every time you take the field leave it with respect for the people you play against, the people who are watching. I think that’s something he shows every day, which is how he works and how he prepared us and got us ready, just his attitude. That’s something I’ll keep with me.”

6. At his introductory press conference on Tuesday, new Browns coach Todd Monken seemed to grease Schwartz’s exit with some comments that came across as rather cold. “[The defensive players] are a big reason why I took this job,” Monken said. “I didn’t take this job because of Jim Schwartz. I have a lot of respect for Jim Schwartz, as I would hope he has for me. But I’d tell you, because of the players that are here, the ownership, Andrew Berry and the ability to build this roster from the ground up on the offensive side.” Monken added, “And I said this to the other guys. I didn’t think I’d say it, but I’m going to say it. When I was preparing for the Cleveland Browns, I wasn’t trying to chip Jim Schwartz. I was chipping Myles Garrett. And when I was sliding a protection to the outside backers or Grant Delpit that were blitzing off the edge, I was sliding the protection of the players. And when I was worried about throwing to the right against Denzel Ward or Tyson Campbell to the left, that’s who I was worried about throwing at.” Throughout the day, neither Monken, Jimmy Haslam, nor GM Andrew Berry stated, “I’d like for Jim Schwartz to stay.” Why didn’t they say that? Because I believe they already knew the die had been cast and Schwartz wasn’t returning. Monken’s comments was a message to players and fans that he believes they’ll be alright.

7. Now Monken must fill Schwartz’s large shoes and repair any hard feelings in the locker room about his exit with the right hire to replace him. Ordinarily, I would call this Monken’s “Welcome to the Browns” moment. But he had plenty of those already during the 2019 season when he served as Freddie Kitchens’ estranged offensive coordinator. That may have been the most dysfunctional Browns season yet. Monken knew exactly what he signed up for when he took on the head coach job. So this was more like his “Welcome back” moment.