Greg Schiano dropped into the Browns coaching search out of left field on Wednesday and Josh McDaniels may be returning to the conversation, but Mike Pettine appears to be the constant as Cleveland tries to find a replacement for Rob Chudzinski.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Pettine will have a third interview with the Browns in Cleveland on Thursday, which suggests either real interest in hiring Pettine or a real commitment to making it seem like they want to hire Pettine when they actually want to hire someone else. Given the lack of competition for head coaching candidates right now, the latter approach would be quite unnecessary but it’s hard to rule much out at this point.
Pettine may not be the only person talking to the team. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that there is expected to be a second finalist interviewing on Thursday as well. Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn interviewed once and can interview again this week, although Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported no interview had been set up as of Wednesday night.
Pettine has been installed as the latest favorite for the Browns job. If he doesn’t get it after a third conversation with the team, though, it will be time for someone else to get that label.