Head Coach: Meet the Candidates

Nine men who have been mentioned prominently in the Browns coaching search...

NOTE: This page will be maintained throughout the head coach selection process at this address: http://browns.scout.com/3/2005headcoach.html

HEAD COACHING CANDIDATES
	Name: Brad Childress Job: Offensive Coordinator Team: Philadelphia Eagles Status: Interviewed with Browns (1/4) Background: Given a large portion of the credit for the success of Donovan McNabb, Childress was named the Eagles' QB coach in 1999 and offensive coordinator in 2002. In 2003, he was rewarded with a three-year contract extension. Childress had previous stops with the Indianapolis Colts (85), Northern Arizona (86-89), Utah (90-1), and the University of Wisconsin (92-98).
	Name: Romeo Crennel Job: Defensive Coordinator Team: New England Patriots Status: Scheduled to interview with the Browns (Friday) Background: Considered to be one of the top assistants in the NFL, with 25 years of experience and several Super Bowl titles as an assistant. Has spent the last four years with Bill Belichick in New England. Served as Browns defensive coordinator during misbegotten 2000 season. Crennel started his career with the Giants and spent 12 years there, mostly coaching the defensive line.
	Name: Ed Donatell Job: Interim Head Coach Team: Atlanta Falcons Status: Donatell will reportedly interview with the Browns Background: Donatell's resume shows defensive success where he goes. Starting with the New York Jets as a defensive backs coach in 1990, he jumped to the Broncos in the same capacity, where he helped that team obtain consecutive Super Bowl wins in 1997-8. Accepting a promotion to DC with the Packers, Donatell established an aggressive defensive approach for the Pack which he brought with him to Atlanta, as the Falcons defensive coordinator, in 2004.
	Name: Russ Grimm Job: Asst Head Coach Team: Pittsburgh Steelers Status: Scheduled to interview with Browns (Saturday) Background: Russ Grimm started 11 seasons at guard on the legendary Redskins "Hogs" offensive line, with 4 trips to the Pro Bowl and 3 Super Bowl rings. After retiring he coached the tight ends for the Redskins for 5 years and the offensive line for another 3 years. In 2000, he joined the Steelers as offensive line coach, and was promoted to Assistant Head Coach in 2004.
	Name: Terry Robiskie Job: Interim Head Coach Team: Cleveland Browns Status: Robiskie will be interviewed for the permanent position Background: Robiskie took a job (interim head coach) of the Browns and tried to make it his own. Very popular with his players, Robiskie managed a 1-4 record as interim head coach and has been outspoken about his desire to get the permanent job. Robiskie has also been offensive coordinator and WR coach for the Browns, as well as interim head coach of the Redskins.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES - No confirmed interviews
	Name: Jim Fassel Job: Consultant Team: Baltimore Ravens Status:  No confirmed interview Background: With over thirty years of pro and college coaching experience, Fassel has an impressive resume. Prior to joining the Baltimore Ravens as a consultant, Fassel was head coach of the New York Giants for six years, which included a 2000 Super Bowl appearance. Fassel has helped to mentor quarterbacks John Elway, Kerry Collins, and Kyle Boller.
	Name: Kirk Ferentz Job: Head Coach Team: Iowa Hawkeyes Status: Still under contract to the University of Iowa. No confirmed interview. Background: Ferentz is in his sixth year at Iowa, during which time he has won the Big Ten and been named the AP coach of the year (2002). Prior to that, he was with the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens, where he was assistant head coach and offensive line coach. Was also head coach of the Maine Bears, and started his coaching career with eight years at Iowa under Hayden Fry.
	Name: Jeff Fisher Job: Head Coach Team: Tennessee Titans Status: Still under contract with the Titans Background: Head coach of the Titans since 1995, helping to guide them to their most successful period in history despite the distraction of moving from Houston. Winningest coach in franchise history. Started coaching DBs for the Eagles in 1986 and moved to defensive coordinator in 1988. Also served as defensive coordinator for the LA Rams and Houston Oilers, as well as DB coach for the 49ers (1992-3).
	Name: Mike Nolan Job: Defensive Coordinator Team: Baltimore Ravens Status: No confirmed interview Background: Nolan has 17 years of NFL experience after failing to make the jump to the NFL as a defensive back in 1981. Starting as an assistant with the Broncos in 1987, Nolan has moved steadily upward, and has three stints as an NFL defensive coordinator with Baltimore, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, and the New York Jets. Nolan has also coached defensive backs at Stanford, Utah, and LSU, in addition to some time as WR coach for the Ravens.