(92.3 The Fan reporting from BEREA, Ohio) – General manager John Dorsey will begin interviews for the Cleveland Browns' head coaching vacancy on Tuesday.
First up: Gregg Williams, but he won’t be the last.
“I want to see his overarching vision and plan for this organization moving forward,” Dorsey said. “I want to hear his thoughts on the team moving forward, but I also want to be able to explore multiple options out there in the National Football League and just see who fits for this organization moving forward. There may be some guys out there we don’t know about yet. I just want to explore all options and make the best decision for this organization.”
Williams, who served as the Browns’ defensive coordinator the last two years, went 5-3 as interim head coach after taking over for Hue Jackson, who was fired Oct 29 along with offensive coordinator Todd Haley. Williams believes he has made his case to become the full-time head coach.
"What questions are you going to ask me that I haven't already shown?" Williams said Sunday. "We'll see."
Dorsey, who has formed an internal search committee but declined to say who comprises it, confirmed he will lead the search at the request of owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam. Whether or not the Haslams listen to him and go with his recommendation remains to be seen.
“We have spent six weeks very methodically and diligently trying to put this whole thing together in terms of what's best for this organization moving forward,” Dorsey said. “And hopefully we've earned the trust from ownership when we make a recommendation with them that we feel that this is the best coach moving forward, hopefully we've earned that trust and they respect that.”
Dorsey acknowledged that offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens is a candidate and will also receive a formal interview.
“What we’d like to do is learn a little more about Freddie,” Dorsey said. “That’s why we’re gonna sit and talk with him.”
Kitchens formed a strong working relationship with rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield, who flourished down the stretch and set the NFL’s rookie passing touchdown record in just 13 starts.
“I think he’s earned that,” Dorsey said. “He’s done a nice job in his role as offensive coordinator and I think this organization wants to get to know him a little bit better and we’ll eventually get him in an interview slot.”
Dorsey will leave it up to the next head coach to determine if Kitchens remains with the team should he not be offered the job.
“Whoever the head coach will be in the future, I think he’s got to have the ability to hire his staff,” Dorsey said. “Will we make suggestions? Yeah, I think that’s what all people do. But at the end of the day it’s going to be whoever that head coach is, it’s going to be his decision if he stays or if he leads.”
Dorsey declined to confirm a report that the team has requested permission to speak with New England Patriots defensive coordinator Brian Flores, which would satisfy the requirements of the Rooney rule. He also sidestepped a question about former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy being a candidate.
With a young roster full of talent, a franchise quarterback, a ton of salary cap space and multitude of draft picks, the Browns job is arguably the most attractive in the league, a stark contrast to previous coaching searches the franchise has conducted over the years.
“Hopefully they can see what we see here,” Dorsey said.
In addition to the Browns' and Packers' in-season coaching changes, the New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals are also looking for a new head coach after firing their coaches.
By Daryl Ruiter