The Cleveland Browns are continuing their coaching search and are set to interview a familiar name.
The Browns will interview Brian Daboll for their head coaching position, according to NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero.
Daboll, 44, has served as the Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator for the past two seasons and was the Browns offensive coordinator from 2009-2010 under head coach Eric Mangini.
#Bills OC Brian Daboll will interview with the #Browns, source said.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 31, 2019
In Buffalo, Daboll has overseen the development of second-year quarterback Josh Allen.
Allen finished the season with 3,089 passing yards (23rd in the NFL), 20 touchdown passes (23rd), nine interceptions and an 85.3 rating (24th).
On the ground, Allen had 109 carries for 510 rushing yards and nine touchdowns this season.
In 2018, Allen threw for 10 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions and had a 67.9 rating.
The development of quarterback Baker Mayfield will be key for whoever the Browns decide to hire as their next head coach.
Mayfield regressed in his second season and under former head coach Freddie Kitchens, who the Browns fired on Sunday.
In 2019, Mayfield had a 78.8 rating (31st in the NFL) and had the second-most interceptions in the league with 21.
This season, the Bills averaged 19.6 points per game (23rd), 330.2 total yards per game (24th), 201.8 passing yards per game (26th) and 128.4 rushing yards per game (eighth).
Since leaving the Browns, Daboll was the Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator in 2011, the Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator in 2012, an offensive assistant for the New England Patriots in 2012, the Patriots’ tight end coach from 2014-2016 and a co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Alabama in 2017.
Daboll won a national title at Alabama under Nick Saban and five Super Bowl rings with the Patriots under Bill Belichick.
Former Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas tweeted several reasons why he believes Daboll should be the Browns’ next head coach.
1) broad base of coaching experience (both offense and defense and has worked for many different head coaches including belichick and Saban)
2) tough, disciplined, holds players accountable
3) super smart and willing to adapt offense to his players talents… https://t.co/wwF0LGujj3— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) December 30, 2019
4) many years of experience as an offensive coordinator gives him many different schemes to draw from to develop an offense that fits best with his players skill sets
5) hungry and motivated
6) blue collar guy who grew up in upstate NY which makes him relatable for the fan base— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) December 30, 2019
The Bills finished the regular season with a 10-6 record, and will play the Houston Texans in the NFL Wild Card round at 4:35 p.m. ET Saturday.
The Browns have scheduled interviews to fill their head coaching position with former Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
The Browns have also requested to interview New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman, Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski and Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Baylor coach Matt Rhule declined the chance to interview with the Browns.
NEXT: Browns To Interview 49ers DC Robert Saleh For Head Coach OpeningNames to watch for the #Browns opening: #Vikings OC Kevin Stefanski, #Patriots OC Josh McDaniels, #Ravens OC Greg Roman, #Saints DC Dennis Allen, among others. Expect it to be a wide-ranging search.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 30, 2019
