Gary Kubiak not expected to be Cleveland Browns OC
Gary Kubiak looks down against the New England Patriots before the game at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns have hired former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine as their next head coach, and it’s a hire that is difficult not to like. Although Pettine isn’t a big name, he had big-time success with the Jets and Bills organizations, and his work this past season definitely jumps off the page. Under Pettine’s guidance, former first-round bust Jerry Hughes had a double-digit sack season in his first year with the Bills and clearly benefited as an outside linebacker in Pettine’s hybrid 3-4 scheme. Leodis McKelvin has steadily improved in each season in the league, and he finally banked on his shutdown potential this season with a very solid campaign.
There’s little doubt that Pettine works well with players and is a brilliant mind on defense, but he doesn’t have head coaching experience or extensive expertise on the offensive side of the ball. Thus, the Browns hire at offensive coordinator is crucial, and one name they have shown interest in is former Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak.
That would definitely be a dream hire for the Browns, but it is unsurprisingly an unlikely scenario. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that even though the Browns are interested, it is “unlikely” for Kubiak to end up in Cleveland. It will be interesting to see who else is on the Browns short list, but one name that has been linked to the team is Green Bay Packers running backs coach Alex Van Pelt.