Browns Coaching Search: Dc Job Down To 3? Internal Candidate Eliminated Already?

Feb 3, 2026; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The Cleveland Browns could be announcing their new defensive coordinator as soon as Sunday, a week after the Super Bowl, or Monday. With two interviews scheduled this weekend, it seems that HC Todd Monken has an idea about who he wants to run the Browns defense, using the same system as former DC Jim Schwartz.

Over the past two weeks, rumors and reports have connected Monken’s search to a wide variety of names:

• Jonathan Cooley, defensive pass game coordinator for the Carolina Panthers
• Mike Rutenberg, defensive pass game coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons
• Charlie Bullen, interim defensive coordinator for the New York Giants
• Aubrey Pleasant, assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams
• Jason Tarver, linebackers coach for the Browns
• Ephraim Banda, safeties coach for the Browns
• Cory Undlin, pass game coordinator for the Houston Texans

Since then, we have reports of Tarver, Banda, Undlin, Pleasant, and Rutenberg interviews. There has not been a report that Cooley actually interviewed for the position, and Bullen has reportedly decided to stay with the Giants.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler is indicating that Monken has narrowed his search to just three names:

It is interesting to note that Banda is not on the list despite earlier reports that he was a candidate to replace Schwartz after having two coordinator interviews this offseason. Banda seemed like a good fit as the best candidate for the job in many ways.

Monken will have interviews completed with Tarver, Undlin, and Rutenberg this weekend, setting up a decision for the Browns new defensive coordinator position soon.

If those are the three finalists, who do you want Monken to hire as the new DC? How do you feel about Banda not making the cut, according to Fowler’s report?

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