@orion said:

I don't think that Schwartz did himself any favors by quitting in a huff.  Not great optics.  If he stayed on as DC, he still could've been hired as a HC on another team.  Either this year, or next year, or...   But now, owners may be a bit hesitant to want to interview him.  MHO

@sdbacker80 said:

I hate to say this but owners are likely more impressed by his work as our DC given our historical dysfunction and over that probably more understanding of the circumstances of his departure especially in a profession littered with alphas.  

His biggest hurdle won’t be the way he left our current dumpster fire it will be competing with the handful of 30 something year old offensive “geniuses” rolling out each year on the NFL assembly line.  They are more likely to sell an idea to an owner than a 60 year old retread 

It looked like the biggest thing missing was a set of balls for Berry & Haslam to communicate to their employee (Schwartz) before the interviews that the HC they want to hire will be a Coach with an Offensive Background to change the Offensive disaster the Owner & FO created. However, we can still PROMOTE you to Assistant Head Coach & DC instead of making you write an essay before a 1st interview and do homework before your 2nd interview as a DC hoping to get PROMOTED.  Instead, it seemed like something as bush league as "let's hope the Bleacher Report or Mary Kay gets the news out quick enough so we don't have to deliver the news to Schwartz."

Haslam hasn't learned a thing since the big controversy at Pilot followed by the Watson trade here. THAT is what his peers (NFL Owners) have to be thinking about Jimmy. They see an extremely well respected DC in this league where his side of the ball had an NFL Player of the Year and and NFL Rookie of the Year.  Meanwhile Berry's peers (GMs around the league) are thinking - did Andrew Berry learn ANYTHING while he worked for Howie Roseman in Philly?  Maybe the last draft changed some minds until they see how many reliable starters for the OL he has been able to draft since returning to NFL Body by Jimmy Haslam...

Quality Improvement doesn't exist without an honest self-evaluation giving it a foundation to build from.  

@orion said:

I don't think that Schwartz did himself any favors by quitting in a huff.  Not great optics.  If he stayed on as DC, he still could've been hired as a HC on another team.  Either this year, or next year, or...   But now, owners may be a bit hesitant to want to interview him.  MHO

I hate to say this but owners are likely more impressed by his work as our DC given our historical dysfunction and over that probably more understanding of the circumstances of his departure especially in a profession littered with alphas.  

His biggest hurdle won’t be the way he left our current dumpster fire it will be competing with the handful of 30 something year old offensive “geniuses” rolling out each year on the NFL assembly line.  They are more likely to sell an idea to an owner than a 60 year old retread.

Said in October I would have liked if we fired Kevin in October and gave Schwartz the chance to HC the last half. 

@sdbacker80 said:

I don’t agree here.  If anything his prior HC experience may guide him when the next opportunity comes into play.  It goes both ways though some guys hit their ceiling and aren’t able to flourish in roles above the role they have done well in….countless examples like Norv Turner. 
 

This is Not just an outsider that is taking over here.  We have a First time HC outsider and out of left field too.  That alone should be enough for Schwartz not to stick around.  And We don’t truly know if they align or respect each other professionally either…and that’s another aspect of this. 

I don't think that Schwartz did himself any favors by quitting in a huff.  Not great optics.  If he stayed on as DC, he still could've been hired as a HC on another team.  Either this year, or next year, or...   But now, owners may be a bit hesitant to want to interview him.  MHO

@unsympathetic said:

Jobs of HC and coordinator are very different, so Schwartz quitting suggests he isn't cut out for the big chair anyway.

I don’t agree here.  If anything his prior HC experience may guide him when the next opportunity comes into play.  It goes both ways though some guys hit their ceiling and aren’t able to flourish in roles above the role they have done well in….countless examples like Norv Turner. 
 

This is Not just an outsider that is taking over here.  We have a First time HC outsider and out of left field too.  That alone should be enough for Schwartz not to stick around.  And We don’t truly know if they align or respect each other professionally either…and that’s another aspect of this. 

With Schwartz bolting, I think it has to with monken. We'll see, but....he lost Schwartz's respect, and players' respect over at the ratbirds nest.

"

• Communication Issues: Sources described Monken as increasingly "standoffish" and difficult to collaborate with, leading to a disconnect between him and the players.
• Play-Calling Discontent: Players were confused by erratic, "unpredictable" play calls that often abandoned effective game plans or failed to utilize key players (such as underutilizing or misusing running backs).
• Regression & Accountability: Following a disappointing start to the 2025 season, Monken publicly took blame for not coaching QB Lamar Jackson well enough and failing to maintain a strong relationship.
• Predictability & Inconsistency: Critics, including former Raven Steve Smith Sr., highlighted that the offense lacked creativity and struggled with consistency.
• Systemic Disconnect: Reports suggested that the rapport between players and Monken was not as strong as it was with defensive coordinator Zach Orr. 

@ballpeen said:

I agree, but we also overrated the numerous undrafted rookies who played on the units.

Thank you - no doubt about it!

@flugel said:

That is correct Syd! Man, did they over-value Bubba!    

I agree, but we also overrated the numerous undrafted rookies who played on the units.

@flugel said:

That is correct Syd! Man, did they over-value Bubba!    

I remember when they hired him thinking he was a dark horse candidate to become the Browns head coach after Stefanski.

Instead he stunk and I was happy he’s gone

@syd said:

I thought we had to give ventrone that title to get him ?

That is correct Syd! Man, did they over-value Bubba!    

@flugel said:

No, Bubba was the Assistant HC.

You would be correct sir.  Ventron while in CLE from 2023 through year held the titles Assistant Head Coach and Special Teams Coordinator.  They had to do that in order to hire him away from IND when he was under contract as Special Teams Coordinator.   He is now just Special teams Coordinator for the Rams

@mddawg said:

I believe he was already assistant HC here, so a team will have to trade for him or wait till his contract expires.

No, Bubba was the Assistant HC believe it or not.

• Former Patriots HC Jerod Mayo

@ballpeen said:

we should just release Schwartz from his contract. Especially if it is 2 years.  No sense in dicking the guy.

I agree...except that they might want to get a draft pick for him.

@ballpeen said:

I thought he only has 1 year remaining.  Might be something to look in to.

Once we settle in on a coordinator, I think it will be an internal hire, we should just release Schwartz from his contract. Especially if it is 2 years.  No sense in dicking the guy.

yeppers club option for 2nd year

Once we settle in on a coordinator, I think it will be an internal hire, we should just release Schwartz from his contract. Especially if it is 2 years.  No sense in dicking the guy.

@mddawg said:

I believe he was already assistant HC here

I thought we had to give ventrone that title to get him ?

@gator said:

The way I understand it is his rights are retained by Cleveland the next 2 years. I believe he can take another job, but he has to be titled as something more than just D coordinator. He would have to be hired as a "Assistant HC/DC" or something that signifies a promotion.

I believe he was already assistant HC here, so a team will have to trade for him or wait till his contract expires.

@orion said:

I wonder what it means for Schwartz though.  He's under contract for 2 years I think.  Does it mean and can't work elsewhere?  Does he have to be 'let out' of his contract?  (I'm assuming....or traded)

The way I understand it is his rights are retained by Cleveland the next 2 years. I believe he can take another job, but he has to be titled as something more than just D coordinator. He would have to be hired as a "Assistant HC/DC" or something that signifies a promotion.