Earlier this week, Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher and Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde each received a head coaching interview request from the Browns. Both have accepted. 
Per a team announcement, interviews with both Pitcher and Durde will take place today. As required by NFL rules, they will be conducted virtually. These will mark the first two interviews of outside candidates for the position, after Tommy Rees and Jim Schwartz both interviewed for the chance to replace Kevin Stefanski.
To date, Pitcher has only been connected to the Browns’ HC opening. The 38-year-old entered the NFL as a scout with the Colts, but his coaching tenure has consisted entirely of work with the Bengals. Pitcher joined Cincinnati in 2016, and over time he worked his way up to quarterbacks coach. When Brian Callahan departed in 2024 to become the Titans’ head coach, Pitcher replaced him as the Bengals’ offensive coordinator.
Head coach Zac Taylor remained Cincinnati’s play-caller after Pitcher’s promotion. That is likely to continue into 2026, and Taylor does not intend to make any major staff changes this offseason. Pitcher will look into at least one head coaching opportunity during this year’s cycle, though.
Durde, 46, has seen his stock rise over the course of his time as an NFL coach. A former Cowboys and Falcons intern, he drew strong reviews for his work as a position coach during later stints in Atlanta and Dallas. That resulted in Durde’s first coordinator opportunity in 2024. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald has called plays on defense for Seattle, but Durde has served as a key staffer for the unit. In 2025, the NFC’s top seed ranked No. 1 in scoring defense. That has landed Durde at least one interview, but more could follow in the near future.
Here is an updated look at where Cleveland’s HC search stands:
- Aden Durde, defensive coordinator (Seahawks): To interview 1/9
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Rumored mutual interest
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): Rumored candidate
- Todd Monken, offensive coordinator (Ravens): Interview requested
- Dan Pitcher, offensive coordinator (Bengals): To interview 1/9
- Tommy Rees, offensive coordinator (Browns): Interviewed 1/8
- Jim Schwartz, defensive coordinator (Browns): Interviewed 1/8