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Todd Monken: The Cleveland Browns said on Wednesday that they have hired the former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator as their next head coach, turning to a veteran playcaller with decades of experience across college football and the NFL, as per a report.

Todd Monken named new Cleveland Browns head coach

Monken steps in after the Browns fired Kevin Stefanski on January 5 following six seasons. Cleveland is coming off a 5-12 campaign and has gone 8-26 since its last playoff appearance in the 2023 season, prompting another reset at the top, as per an ESPN report.

Todd Monken Browns Reunion: Former Coordinator Returns to Cleveland

Although this is Monken’s first NFL head coaching role, Cleveland is familiar ground. Monken, who turns 60 on February 5, previously served as the Browns’ offensive coordinator in 2019 under Freddie Kitchens. His return makes him the franchise’s 11th full-time head coach since rejoining the league in 1999, a stretch marked by frequent change on the sideline.

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Todd Monken Coaching History: From College Football to the NFL Sidelines

Most recently, Monken spent three seasons in Baltimore as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator from 2023 to 2025. His offenses were built around a dominant ground game. During that span, the Ravens ranked first in the NFL in rushing yards per game, yards per rush and yards before contact per rush, while finishing third in rushing touchdowns, according to ESPN Research. His lone season calling plays in Cleveland showed similar results, with the Browns ranking fourth in the league in yards per rush.

Why the Browns Chose Todd Monken as Their New Head Coach

Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said that, "[Monken] is an outstanding leader and has a clear vision to lead our team as a strong communicator who values trust with his players but also accountability and preparation. In our committee's exhaustive reference work on Todd, his commitment to player development was evident, and his tough and straightforward coaching is respected by the players and the coaches he's worked with, putting our team in a position to succeed while developing our players to maximize their talents," as quoted by ESPN.

Monken emerged from a wide-ranging coaching search that included in-person interviews with Jim Schwartz, Grant Udinski, Nate Scheelhaase and Anthony Lynn. Cleveland also scheduled second interviews with Mike McDaniel and Jesse Minter, though both later withdrew after accepting other positions.

Todd Monken’s Offensive Track Record With the Ravens and Browns

Monken’s coaching résumé spans more than 30 years. He was the head coach at the University of Southern Mississippi from 2013 to 2015, compiling a 13-25 record. His standout season came in 2015, when Southern Miss went 9-5, reached the Heart of Dallas Bowl and earned Monken Conference USA Coach of the Year honors. He later spent three seasons as offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as per the ESPN report.

Before arriving in Baltimore, Monken helped guide the University of Georgia to back-to-back national championships as offensive coordinator in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. His transition to the Ravens brought immediate success. In 2023, he helped quarterback Lamar Jackson win his second MVP award. A year later, Baltimore finished with the No. 1 offense in the NFL for the first time in franchise history, with Jackson setting career highs in passing yards, passing touchdowns and yards per attempt, as per the ESPN report.

Last season proved more difficult. Jackson missed four games and failed to finish two others, and the Ravens struggled with consistency, particularly in the red zone, where they ranked 27th in the league. Team sources said Monken’s demanding coaching style did not mesh well with Jackson during that period.

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Cleveland Browns Offense Reset Under Todd Monken

In Cleveland, Monken inherits an offense that has ranked last in the NFL in scoring over the past two seasons, averaging just 15.8 points per game. General manager Andrew Berry said the unit will see “significant investment” this offseason and confirmed that Monken will have input on quarterback decisions. Deshaun Watson is expected to be on the roster in 2026 alongside Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.

While the offense needs rebuilding, the Browns’ defense remains a strength. Since Jim Schwartz’s arrival in 2023, Cleveland has allowed the fewest yards per game in the league and owns the NFL’s best third-down conversion rate. Defensive end Myles Garrett is the favorite to win his second Defensive Player of the Year award after a record-setting 23-sack season, as per the ESPN report.

FAQs

Who is Todd Monken?
Todd Monken is the new Cleveland Browns head coach and a longtime offensive coordinator with NFL and college experience.

Is Todd Monken familiar with Cleveland?
Yes, he previously coached with the Browns and is returning in a larger role.