The Browns moved one step closer to finding their next head coach while most of the football world was anticipating the NFL conference championship games..
Anthony Lynn, the Browns’ running backs coach under Romeo Crennel in 2007 and 2008 and the head coach of the San Diego Chargers from 2017-20, late on Jan. 24 became the 10th candidate interviewed to replace Kevin Stefanski, who was fired on Jan. 5.
The interview with Lynn was done in person, which is significant because the 57-year-old running backs coach/run game coordinator of the Washington Commanders is Black. He is the fifth candidate interviewed in person, but the first minority coach to meet face to face with the group led by Browns general manager Andrew Berry.
The Rooney Rule stipulates that at least two minority coaches must be interviewed in person before a head coaching vacancy can be filled. The purpose of the rule, enacted in 2003, is to include more diversity among NFL coaches.
The Patriots and Broncos met at 3 p.m. Jan. 25 in Denver in the AFC championship game. Kickoff for the Rams-Seahawks NFC championship game in Seattle was set for 6:30 p.m.
The Browns plan to interview Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase for a second time on Jan. 26 in Los Angeles. Scheehaase is biracial. Once that in-person interview is completed, the Browns will have fulfilled their Rooney Rule obligation.
Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski have been interviewed twice. Both Schwartz interviews were in person, as were the second interviews with Monken and Udinski.
The other candidates interviewed are former Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher, Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde, former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, Jesse Minter (since hired as Ravens head coach) and Scheelhasse. Of that group, all but Rees were interviewed via Zoom.
Udinski is 30 years old. Scheelhaase is 35. The Browns would like to hire a young offensive-minded head coach and retain Schwartz as defensive coordinator. But Lynn is a legitimate backup plan if they lose out on Udinski and Scheelhaase. Udinski was set to interview with the Bills on Jan. 25. The Bills could hire him on the spot because they already fulfilled the Rooney Rule despite not firing head coach Sean McDermott until Jan. 19.
Neither Udinski nor Scheelhaase called plays in their respective NFL jobs. Lynn has been around the block and has experienced the pressure of being a head coach.
Lynn was an assistant coach with the Broncos, Jaguars, Cowboys, Browns, Jets and Bills before being named Chargers head coach in 2017. He went 33-31 in four years, highlighted by a 12-4 record in 2018. The Chargers were 1-1 in the playoffs that season. He was fired after the Chargers went 7-9 in 2020.
Lynn was not unemployed long. Dan Campbell was in his first year as Lions head coach in 2021. He hired Lynn as offensive coordinator, but one year later, Lynn was looking for work again. He spent two seasons as an assistant head coach/running backs coach with the 49ers. He was hired as the Commanders’ run-game coordinator in 2024.
Lynn, undrafted, was a running back with the Broncos for 13 games in 1993. He had no carries. He did not play in 1994. He played for the 49ers in 1995 and ’96 and played the next three seasons with the Broncos. He totaled 28 carries for 177 yards and six touchdowns in 83 games.
