Earlier Sunday, Jackson had a five-hour interview with the San Francisco 49ers for their opening at head coach, according to NFL Network.
Advertisement
The only obvious problem: It’s not a sure thing the Browns will be able to secure Jackson.
Jackson is the fifth known candidate to interview with the 49ers since the club fired Jim Tomsula last Sunday, just hours after the team’s season-ending victory over the St. Louis Rams. Per Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (h/t Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area) the 49ers received permission today to interview former Giants head coach Tom Coughlin.
Jackson, 50, most recently served as offensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals, who lost Saturday’s wild-card playoff game 18-16 to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Cincinnati offense reached new heights under Jackson’s this season, ranking first in the NFL in Football Outsiders’ offensive DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average, which adjusts performance for down, distance, and opponent) after averaging a rank of 17.3 over the course of quarterback Andy Dalton’s first four seasons.
Quinn, who went 8-8 in his first season with the Falcons this year, told cleveland.com after the Super Bowl that year that he would’ve taken the Browns job had it been offered to him.
The Browns are competing against the San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants, both team’s are very interested in obtaining Jackson.
Mark Davis hired general manager Reggie McKenzie after the 2011 season, and McKenzie replaced Jackson with Dennis Allen.
If, after a week of looking for a coach, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam decides he wants Jackson, he might have to act fast and beat out the 49ers – which could be hard.
Cleveland clearly has interest in Jackson, who’s an attractive candidate because of his experience as a head coach, expertise with quarterbacks and success inside the AFC North.
If Jackson signs with Cleveland or the Giants, York and Baalke suddenly will be in Real Scramble Mode, by the way.
The Browns could reset their search following seven interviews in five days if they don’t make an offer to Jackson. He has also worked as an assistant in Philadelphia.
Advertisement
The Browns also interviewed Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott on Sunday morning and liked him, a source said. Current coordinators Ben McAdoo and Steve Spagnuolo, new Dolphins head coach Adam Gase, Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and Jaguars assistant head coach Doug Marrone have already met with co-owner John Mara and general manager Jerry Reese.
