Dowell Loggains

Former Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains is in the process of joining the Browns staff, likely as QB coach but maybe as coordinator.

(Mark Humphrey)

NEW YORK -- Former Titans offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains has been hired by the Browns as quarterbacks coach -- and maybe more -- a league source told cleveland.com.

Loggains 33, could also be in the mix for the offensive coordinator job depending on how that search plays out, a source said. The Browns also interviewed former Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan on Wednesday and Raiders quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo on Thursday for their coordinator vacancy, but weren't ready to hire either one on the spot.

One source said a coordinator hiring wasn't imminent and that it could stretch into next week. Conflicting reports circulated Thursday on how Shanahan's meeting with the Browns went. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that it "didn't go as planned'' and that the club has moved on. But two sources told cleveland.com that he could still be in the mix and has been told he should know something by the middle of next week. Shanahan has already been passed over by the Dolphins and Ravens for their coordinator jobs this season.

The Browns might also decide to interview other candidates.

If Loggains remains quarterbacks coach, coach Mike Pettine -- who's never before worked with him -- will have filled two offensive positions without naming his coordinator. The Browns also hired former Bucs assistant Brian Angelichio as tight ends coach on Monday.

Loggains was on the Browns radar as quarterbacks coach or offensive coordinator even before Pettine was hired, and was identified as a candidate by cleveland.com following Pettine's introductory press conference.

He was one of the main reasons former Titans coach Mike Munchak, now Steelers offensive line coach, was fired after a 7-9 season. The Titans' front office insisted that Munchak fire Loggains and also install Greg Williams as his defensive coordinator, but Munchak, who later interviewed for the Browns head coaching vacancy, refused to make those moves.

According to nfl.com, the Titans felt Loggains became too pass-happy when the team was built for the power-running game. But Tennessee, which started 3-1, lost third-year starting quarterback Jake Locker to a foot injury in November, and struggled thereafter. The Titans were 4-2 in games in which Locker took a majority of the snaps. At one point, they lost of eight of 10 games.

They finished 22nd in offense in 2013, including 14th in rushing and 21st in passing. They also ranked 19th in points with 22.6 per game.

The Titans replaced Munchak with Ken Whisenhunt, who interviewed for the Browns job this year and was a finalist last year.

Loggains' hiring is a pivotal one, because he'll most likely have the task of coaching a big-name first-round quarterback such as Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles or Teddy Bridgewater.

Loggains spent the past six seasons with the Titans, including the 2013 season and the last five games of 2012 as coordinator. He was let go when Ken Whisenhunt was hired as Titans head coach.

Before being named coordinator, Loggains spent two-and-a-half seasons as quarterbacks/passing game coach. He's worked with a number of successful coordinators, including Sean Payton, Norm Chow, Mike Heimerdinger and former Browns coach Chris Palmer.

In 2011, his first season with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, Loggains helped him record the third highest passing total of his career. Locker, then a rookie, also threw four TDs and no interceptions in the final five games.

Prior to joining the Titans, Loggains was a scouting assistant with the Cowboys in 2005.

In other Browns coaching news, nfl.com's Gil Brandt reported that the Browns are set to hire former Ravens running backs Wilbert Montgomery for the same position in Cleveland.

Montgomery, 59, was fired by the Ravens earlier this month after the club finished 30th in rushing and last in the NFL with 3.1 yard per carry. With injuries to Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce, the Ravens rushed for a franchise-low 1,328 yards.

"It was a good six years in Baltimore," Montgomery said. "It was a good run, but I understand why it's time for me to move on. I wish those guys well and hope they have a great season and wish them well. Things, they do run their course.

"It's no big deal. I've been around for a long time, as a player and a coach. I'm OK. It doesn't bother me. I'll be fine."