Cleveland (92.3 The Fan) – Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is not and was not a candidate for the Browns’ head coaching position.
McDaniels confirmed that he did not speak with the Browns, who have interviewed 7 candidates since last Tuesday for their head coaching job after firing Hue Jackson along with offensive coordinator Todd Haley on Oct. 29, 2017.
“No sir. I have had no contact with them,” McDaniels said on a conference call, via our sister station WEEI.com.
He will return to the Patriots in 2019.
“I will be here moving forward,” McDaniels said.
McDaniels interviewed last week with Green Bay to replace Mike McCarthy but the Packers have decided to hire Titans offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur instead leaving him no choice but to return under head coach Bill Belichick for a 16th year.
"The book is closed," McDaniels said. "It is always a humbling experience to have an opportunity to interview with anybody for that position. I am thankful for the opportunity to meet with Green Bay. It always gives you greater insight into another organization and how they do things. It has been very educational for me every time I have gone through it. I have appreciated every single one of them. That was great, but I am completely focused on the Chargers and our season and finishing strong.”
Last year McDaniels agreed to become the Indianapolis Colts’ new head coach and the team began hiring staff, including defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus whom the Browns interviewed on Sunday, but he backed out and returned to New England.
He was asked if that might have been the reason behind so few interviews for head coaching jobs this year with 8 of them opening up around the league.
“I have no idea, you'd have to obviously ask them if that had anything to do with anything like that,” McDaniels said. “I am grateful for the opportunity that I had, but obviously more importantly thankful for the opportunity that I have here. I have said before, I think I have one of the best jobs in the world.”
