CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Cleveland Browns have already done their background check on San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and checked his references too.
Saturday evening, Saleh got an unsolicited boost from 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman following their 27-10 domination of the Minnesota Vikings to advance to next week’s NFL Championship game.
“Saleh called a fantastic game,” Sherman told reporters. “I read this game would decide the Cleveland Browns coaching position and between their offensive coordinator and Saleh, and if that’s the way it was decided, I think Saleh put on a good performance and he deserves consideration. He’s called great games throughout the year. That was a masterpiece.
“Just him knowing his personnel, having his personnel and just coming up with a fantastic plan and us executing it. He deserves to be a head coach.”
Saleh’s defense held Kevin Stefanski and the Vikings to just 147 total yards of offense, including 2-12 on third down while forcing a pair of turnovers.
Stefanski is presumed to be another finalist along with Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and possibly Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels for the opening in Cleveland.
The Browns' interview process for the head coaching job concluded with a seven-hour session with McDaniels Friday in Cleveland. The team is not expected to conduct any further head coaching interviews.
Saturday the Browns spent the day submitting interview requests for potential general managers to pair with candidates including Colts assistant general manager Ed Dodds per 92.3 The Fan’s Dustin Fox, Eagles vice president of football operations Andrew Berry and Bills assistant general manager Joe Schoen according to ESPN.
Berry, who could be paired with Stefanski, served as the Browns' vice president of player personnel for nearly three years from 2016-19 before leaving for Philadelphia last offseason.
ESPN’s Chris Mortenson reported Saturday that Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll “had a strong interview” and could be “a sleeper” to land the job which explains the request to speak with Schoen.
The Browns also interviewed Mike McCarthy, hired by Dallas, Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz for the head coaching vacancy, the team’s 10th in the expansion era and fifth under the Haslam’s ownership.
