The Cleveland Browns finally filled their head coaching vacancy on Sunday, hiring Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski and passing on San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
Saleh reportedly had a strong interview and impressed Browns decision-makers.
Two notes on the Browns' search.
• 49ers DC Robert Saleh made a very real impression on the group. I'm told he made the call harder on the Cleveland brass.
• Patriots OC Josh McDaniels did very well. My sense: the "problem" was he wanted sweeping organizational change.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 12, 2020
The good news for the 49ers is that they retain their defensive coordinator for at least another year. While cornerback Richard Sherman is probably happy to have some continuity heading into next season, he expressed shock that the Browns passed on Saleh.
Of course, Sherman says he isn't too surprised by the decision either.
Wow just wow...... just W....O....W.... guess I should have expected it https://t.co/NqY7s1GxP5
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) January 12, 2020
Why should he have expected it? The veteran defender explained on Saturday after the 49ers beat the Vikings 27-10 at Levi's Stadium.
"I heard a lot of people and read a lot of media reports talking about this game would decide the Cleveland Browns coaching position between their offensive coordinator (Stefanski) and Saleh," Sherman told reporters. "If that's the way they want to decide it, I think Saleh put on a great performance and he deserves consideration. He's called great games throughout the year.
"This was a masterpiece of him knowing his personnel, having his personnel, coming up with a fantastic plan, and us executing it. He deserves a ton of credit.
"Obviously, there hasn't been a lot of hires of coaches of color, or minority coaches. You never know. But, I think he deserves a spot. He's done everything he can to put himself in a position for it."
H/t to Patrick Tulini for the find.