How the Browns, Bengals and Redskins are linked in coaching search
Nov 23, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach James Franklin during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Vanderbilt won 14 to 10. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns are in the market of r a new head coach after firing Rob Chudzinski after a 4-12 season that saw them lose seven-straight to end the year. Needless to say, they’re carefully gauging their options, which include coaches at the NFL and from the college football ranks.
Reports surfaced last week that the team will look at James Franklin of the Vanderbilt Commodores and Gus Malzhan of the Auburn Tigers, but would not look at Bob Stoops of the Oklahoma Sooners.
As of now, it looks like Franklin is the likeliest candidate to make the jump from college football to pro football, and according to Mark MAske of the Washington Post, Franklin could remain an option for the Browns going forward if he doesn’t get hired at Penn State:
The Browns also could remain in the mix with the Redskins for James Franklin if he doesn't go to Penn State, that source says.
— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) January 8, 2014