No one knows yet who will be the next Cleveland Browns head coach, but there is a clear list of popular and reported candidates being discussed in early January 2026.

Where the search stands

Kevin Stefanski was fired after the 2025 season following back-to-back losing years, leaving Cleveland actively searching for a new head coach right now. Ownership has kept general manager Andrew Berry in place and tasked him with running the search, which means the process is still underway and no hire has been announced.

Most-mentioned realistic candidates

Reports and national coverage have framed the Browns’ search around experienced NFL names and rising coordinators, not one obvious “lock.” Among those commonly floated as strong possibilities:

  • Former head coaches with defensive backgrounds, such as Brian Flores, are described as among the “best options” to replace Stefanski.
  • College and NFL crossover candidates like Jeff Hafley are also listed in shortlists for the Browns’ opening.
  • Internal continuity with respected defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is a live topic, with ownership said to think highly of him and wanting him in the building, even if not necessarily as head coach.

Fan and media rumor mill

Talk shows, YouTube channels, and forums are currently treating this as an open race, throwing around both conventional and “wild card” names. Speculative mentions have included:

  • Offensive coordinators like Klint Kubiak as modern-scheme options.
  • Veteran names such as Mike McCarthy, sometimes discussed as polarizing but “get-it-done” possibilities.
  • Long-shot or splash ideas including Deion Sanders or even Jon Gruden, which are talked about more as rumor and debate fodder than firm reporting.

What type of coach the Browns seem to want

From ownership comments and reporting, a few priorities stand out more than any specific name.

  • Maximizing a young offensive core and stabilizing the quarterback situation is repeatedly described as central to the hire.
  • There is interest in pairing a strong offensive mind with the existing defensive structure, especially if Jim Schwartz is retained in some capacity.
  • Prior head-coaching experience is viewed as a plus in a year without a single, obvious “top” candidate across the league.

So who will it be?

Because the interview process is ongoing and no agreement has been reported, any answer right now is speculation , not fact. The most accurate way to frame it:

  • The Browns have a vacancy and an active search led by Andrew Berry.
  • Shortlists from national outlets center on candidates like Brian Flores and Jeff Hafley, plus experienced coordinators and retread head coaches.
  • Fans and forums are debating everyone from Jim Schwartz to Klint Kubiak to big-name veterans, but there is no confirmed “next Browns head coach” yet.

Bottom line: if the question is “who will be the next Browns head coach?” , the only honest answer today is that it has not been decided or announced, and current names are possibilities rather than guarantees.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.