These Five Coaches Have Turned Down Browns HC Job

The Cleveland Browns aren’t getting any luckier as a franchise amid a difficult era. New reports indicate that five coaches have turned down the Browns’ head coaching job already: Grant Udinski, Chris Shula, Mike McDaniel, Jesse Minter, and John Harbaugh.

The fact that only Harbaugh turned down the Browns’ HC job for another HC job (the others taking coordinator jobs) hurts even more for Cleveland fans.

Browns have faced persistent challenges over the past three decades, defined by relocation, expansion woes, and chronic underachievement. The original franchise moved to Baltimore after the 1995 season, leaving Cleveland teamless until an expansion squad returned in 1999. Since then, the Browns have posted just three playoff berths—2002, 2020, and 2023—while amassing far more losing records than wins.

A revolving door at quarterback has plagued the team, with more than 30 starters since 1999 reflecting deeper issues in management and roster building. The early 2000s brought futility, including a 1-31 stretch from 2016-2017 during a drastic rebuild. Brief hope emerged in 2020 with an 11-5 mark and playoff victory, but inconsistency returned.

Recent seasons have compounded the misery. Following an 11-6 effort in 2023, the Browns collapsed to 3-14 in 2024 amid injuries and poor play. The 2025 campaign saw marginal gains with a 5-12 finish, boosted by Myles Garrett’s league-record 23 sacks, yet it sealed a second consecutive losing year and the 16th in 18 seasons. This downturn led to head coach Kevin Stefanski’s dismissal on January 5, as the franchise grapples with another rebuild.