CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Browns interviewed Josh McDaniels for their head coach opening Friday. McDaniels, of course, brings years of experience working as Bill Belichick’s offensive coordinator, not to mention six Super Bowl rings.

McDaniels isn’t the only branch on Belichick’s coaching tree the Browns are shaking during their search. The team has also interviewed Jim Schwartz, who was a scout for Belichick during his time as Browns head coach in the 1990s, and Brian Daboll, who spent 11 seasons as a position coach for Belichick in New England.

When you have the kind of success and longevity Belichick has had, NFL teams will want a piece, and will look for those with a connection to the six-time Super Bowl winner. That has led to numerous Belichick assistants getting head coach opportunities.

The Browns have already climbed Belichick’s coaching tree, plucking Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini as coaches in 2005 and 2009. Crennel has the distinction of being the Browns’ longest-tenured head coach since 1999 (four seasons), as well as the best single-season record over that span (10-6).

Not all of Belichick’s disciples have had NFL coaching success. In fact, most haven’t. Some, like Kirk Ferentz, Pat Hill and Charlie Weis, never became NFL head coaches but did so in college. Nick Saban has obviously found his footing in college as well.

Joe Judge ensured that 2020 will be the third straight season with at least one of Belichick’s assistants moving to head coach. The former special teams coordinator was hired by the Giants earlier this week.

The Browns can be included in that streak if they choose McDaniels, Schwartz or Daboll. But more than that, they could add to Belichick’s ever-growing coaching tree.

Below is a look at Belichick assistants who have gone on to become NFL head coaches, and how they have fared. Not everyone on this list came directly from working for Belichick, but all have a connection.

ROMEO CRENNEL

Belichick connection: Defensive coordinator for four seasons (and three Super Bowl wins) in New England, along with many years as a position coach for Belichick under Bill Parcells.

Head coach: Browns 2005-08.

Record: 28-55.

Best season: Crennel’s only winning season as Browns coach was 2007 when the team was 10-7 but missed the playoffs.

BRIAN FLORES

Belichick connection: Patriots assistant for 14 seasons, mostly on the defensive side of the ball.

Head coach: Dolphins 2019-present.

Record: 5-11.

Best season: Flores started 0-7 with the Dolphins, but rebounded in the second half of the season, getting wins against the Colts, Eagles and Patriots.

AL GROH

Belichick connection: Linebackers coach with the Browns in 1992, and also spent time as a position coach for Belichick under Parcells.

Head coach: Jets 2000.

Record: 9-7.

Best season: Groh coached the Jets for just one season, getting the job when Belichick quit as head coach after one day on the job.

ERIC MANGINI

Belichick connection: Patriots assistant from 2000-05, and a coaches assistant with the Browns in 1995. Also spent time as a position coach for Belichick under Parcells.

Head coach: Jets 2006-08; Browns 2009-10.

Record: 33-47.

Best season: The Jets were 10-6 in Mangini’s first season and lost to the Patriots in the wild card round. It was his only playoff appearance as a head coach.

JOSH MCDANIELS

Belichick connection: Patriots assistant coach for 16 of the past 19 seasons.

Head coach: Broncos 2009-10.

Record: 11-17.

Best season: McDaniels was fired after 12 games in 2010. He began his first season 6-0 before finishing 8-8.

BILL O’BRIEN

Belichick connection: Patriots assistant coach from 2007-11.

Head coach: Texans 2014-present.

Record: 52-44.

Best season: 11-5 in 2018. O’Brien has had one losing season with the Texans and has won the AFC South in four of his five seasons. The Titans won their first playoff game under O’Brien this season and face the Chiefs on Sunday.

MATT PATRICIA

Belichick connection: Patriots assistant coach from 2004-17.

Head coach: Lions 2018-present.

Record: 9-22-1.

Best season: The Lions were 6-10 in Patricia’s first season.

NICK SABAN

Belichick connection: Browns defensive coordinator from 1991-94.

Head coach: Dolphins 2005-06.

Record: 15-17.

Best season: The Dolphins were 9-7 in Saban’s first season thanks to a six-game winning streak to end the season, but they didn’t make the playoffs.

JIM SCHWARTZ

Belichick connection: Browns personnel scout from 1993-95, his first NFL job.

Head coach: Lions 2009-13.

Record: 29-51.

Best season: The Lions were 10-6 in Schwartz’s third season and lost in the wild card round of the playoffs. It was his only winning season as head coach.

MIKE VRABEL

Belichick connection: Played for Belichick and the Patriots from 2001-08.

Head coach: Titans 2018-present.

Record: 18-14.

Best season: Vrabel has had back-to-back 9-7 seasons, but made the playoffs this season and knocked off the Patriots in the wild card round. The Titans face the Ravens on Saturday.

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