Todd Monken browns head coach: Who is Todd Monken? Meet the man taking over as Cleveland Browns head coach
Todd Monken named new head coach of Cleveland Browns
Monken stepped in after the Browns fired Kevin Stefanski on Jan. 5 after six seasons. Cleveland is coming off a 5-12 season and is 8-26 since its last playoff game in the 2023 season, leading to another reset at the top, per an ESPN report.
Todd Monken Brown Reunion: Former Coordinator Returns to Cleveland
Although this is Monken’s first NFL head coaching role, Cleveland is familiar ground. Monken, who turns 60 on Feb. 5, previously served as the Browns’ offensive coordinator under Freddie Kitchens in 2019. His return makes him the team’s 11th full-time head coach since rejoining the league in 1999; This is a process marked by frequent field changes.
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Todd Monken Coaching History: From College Football to NFL Sidelines
Monken spent three seasons in Baltimore, most recently as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator from 2023 to 2025. Their offense was built around a dominant ground game. During that span, the Ravens ranked first in the NFL in rushing yards per game, yards per rush, and yards before touchdown, according to ESPN Research, while finishing third in rushing touchdowns. Call-up plays in his lone season in Cleveland showed similar results; The Browns ranked fourth in the league in yards per rush.
Why Did the Browns Choose Todd Monken as New Head Coach?
Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said: “[Monken] is an outstanding leader and has a clear vision to lead our team as a strong communicator who values trust with his players, as well as accountability and preparedness. “His commitment to player development was evident in our committee’s extensive reference work on Todd, and his tough and outspoken coaching is respected by the players and coaches he works with, positioning our team to succeed while developing our players to maximize their abilities.”
Monken was the result of an extensive coaching search that included personal interviews with Jim Schwartz, Grant Udinski, Nate Scheelhaase and Anthony Lynn. Cleveland also scheduled second interviews with Mike McDaniel and Jesse Minter, but both later withdrew after accepting other positions.
Todd Monken’s Offensive Performance with Ravens and Browns
Monken’s coaching resume spans more than 30 years. He served as the head coach at the University of Southern Mississippi from 2013 to 2015, posting a 13-25 record. His standout season came in 2015, when Southern Miss went 9-5 and reached the Heart of Dallas Bowl and earned Monken Conference USA Coach of the Year honors. He later spent three seasons as the offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to an ESPN report.
Before coming to Baltimore, Monken guided the University of Georgia to back-to-back national championships as offensive coordinator in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. His move to the Ravens brought immediate success. In 2023, he helped quarterback Lamar Jackson win his second MVP award. A year later, Baltimore had the No. 1 offense in the NFL for the first time in franchise history; According to the ESPN report, Jackson set career highs in passing yards, passing touchdowns and yards per attempt.
Last season was more difficult. Jackson missed four games and failed to finish the other two, and the Ravens struggled with consistency, especially in the red zone, where they ranked 27th in the league. Team sources said Monken’s tough coaching style did not sit well with Jackson at the time.
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Cleveland Browns Offense Reset Under Todd Monken
In Cleveland, Monken took over an offense that had ranked last in the NFL in scoring the past two seasons, averaging just 15.8 points per game. General manager Andrew Berry said the unit will see “significant investment” this offseason and confirmed that Monken will have input on quarterback decisions. Deshaun Watson is expected to be on the roster in 2026, along with Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
While the offense needs a rebuild, the Browns’ defense remains strong. Since Jim Schwartz’s arrival in 2023, Cleveland has allowed the fewest yards per game in the league and has the NFL’s third-best conversion rate. Defensive end Myles Garrett is the favorite to win his second Defensive Player of the Year award after a record 23-sack season, per an ESPN report.
FAQ
Who is Todd Monken?
Todd Monken is the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns and a longtime offensive coordinator with NFL and college experience.
Does Todd Monken know Cleveland?
Yes, he previously coached with the Browns and is returning in a bigger role.
