When we put up a poll asking you to pick a new head coach and general manager for the Browns, the expectation was a few hundred votes.
After all, the Browns have been mostly putrid since returning to Cleveland in 1999, leaving many fans jaded and, possibly, disinterested.
Then, the fans kept voting. And voting. And voting some more.
What is this, Nov. 4?
As of this writing, 1,343 people have voted for a new head coach of the Browns. For a general manager, 1,294 have expressed their opinion.
At first, many of you had former New York Jets coach Eric Mangini picked as the new coach. Then, the Denver Broncos went and fired Mike Shanahan. That, along with Marty Schottenheimer not being a choice, pushed the "other" choice to the lead.
So what does this mean exactly? Well, as far as polling goes, this is as inconclusive as the Browns' search has been (at least so far).
Owner Randy Lerner has already interviewed Mangini and Steve Spagnuolo of the Giants. Interviews are also scheduled for Josh McDaniels of the Patriots and Mel Tucker, the Browns' defensive coordinator. The Browns are also rumored to be getting in contact with Shanahan.
But should the owner even be picking a head coach before a general manager? Some of you don't think so.
"I don't think it's prudent to decide on a coach when you don't even have a general manager," wrote Ralph Gizzip. "Obviously Mr. Lerner doesn't know football so he needs to hire a GM that has proven he can build a winning team. The new GM is then responsible for hiring a head coach to run the operations on the field."
If that is the case and the opinion of the fans matters as much as football teams say, then the Browns should bring in Patriots Vice President of Player Personnel Scott Pioli.
He has nearly half the vote so far. Signs point to him as being Lerner's top choice, but that could also mean bringing in University of Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz.
But comments around the blogosphere point to some weariness in hiring another college coach following the Butch Davis disaster.
So, what to do? Wait and enjoy the ride. Oh, and vote if you haven't!
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Your poll is missleading
Out of all the ones I read, it would have put Marty Schottinhiemer in frist place !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so lets tell the truth and stop the media from picking as they alway try to do………………GO MARTY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's impossible to say Schottenheimer would be leading it. There are more than 1,300 votes and 60 comments. There was no attempt at deception, I can assure you. Schottenheimer was not a choice because Randy Lerner has shown no interest in him being the new coach.
I agree !!!!!! remember, Marty never had spygate or any crap other then Model. Marty did it the oldfastion way, played football and won !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how easy you all foreget .So why would cleveland even look at those others ? In 1 or 2 yrs.you will be looking again. Just let Marty be Marty, he'll win for you. Think about it.
OTHER- (marty) Other was ahead of them all.
It is pretty foolish…all this talk about coaches. When is Lerner going to call Schottenheimer? If he wants to draw the fans back, Marty is the guy to do it whether you like him or not.
They should have a madden tournament. The winner should be the new coach.
Marty is still 66 years old and very much enjoys his retirement. It's like dating your high school sweetheart all over again in your 20's, not the best idea. He's not very interested in coming back either.
Plus when he ran the show in Washington even he admits he did poorly.
Ya, then he went to S.D. and took them to the AFC champ game, so whats your point ? he stell has won more then those other clowns lerner looking at !!!! maybe he needs a 20 yr. old, it may help take the Browns to the big one !!!! better then getting other teams problems.
Ya, and he won as many championships in S.D. as he did everywhere else he went. 20yr old? Even if that were true, it's a game. I would take a 20 yr old over a 66 yr old to play a stupid game. Its 11 x's verses 11 o's on the blackboard, not complicated math equasion. Not that Marty could solve the math problem anyway. Josh McDaniels trumps them all, simply because his youth will allow him to be around longer and have more seasons to get it done. Come home Josh, the Browns need ya.
idontgetit,
You really don't, do you?
What do you mean the owner has shown no interest in Marty. Have you asked him? Just because Lerner hasn't interviewed him yet doesn't mean Marty's not a candidate. He should be. Other than Shanahan, no other available coach has proven more. And not even Shanahan has Marty's record of turnarounds. The owner should think twice before passing up a sure thing.
Why does everyone want Marty or even Cower? The knock on Marty, and don't any Browns fans even try to deny it, was he couldn't win the big one. Cower won 1 superbowl in 15 years as the Steelers coach. You guys would've had him fired within 2 years of not winning everything. Same thing with Marty. There's a reason he's quit as Chargers coach, Chiefs coach, and Browns coach!!
Whoever the head coach will be please let him be someone who will kick some butt when players don't perform. Some of these players have been coddled too long by hand holding coaches or grandfatherly types. Bring back Parcells!!!!