The Browns and 49ers progressed in their searches for new head coaches, interviewing new candidates Saturday.
Matt Patricia interviewed with the Browns, per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal, and Dirk Koetter met with the 49ers, according to Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News.
The 41-year-old Patricia’s only been connected to two teams, and the other, the Dolphins, decided on a coach today.
A Patriots assistant since 2004, Patricia’s been the defensive coordinator in New England since 2012, leading a series of imposing units. As Ulrich points out, Patricia would gel with the Browns’ new analytics-geared approach. An engineering major who spent time in that field before 
breaking into coaching, Patricia helped modernize the Patriots’ film study.
Before Patricia, the Browns interviewed Adam Gase, Teryl Austin, Doug Marrone and Cowboys secondary coach Jerome Henderson. Cleveland would need to wait out the Patriots’ playoff campaign before hiring Patricia.
Considered a strong candidate to fill Lovie Smith‘s spot, the 56-year-old Koetter aided the Buccaneers’ offense after guiding the Falcons’ and Jaguars’ units the previous eight seasons. Prior to running the Atlanta attack, Koetter served as current 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert‘s first offensive coordinator in Jacksonville in 2011.
Architect of the Bucs’ fifth-ranked offense this season, Koetter interviewed for the 49ers’ job in Tampa, Inman reports. Koetter’s also been mentioned as a candidate for the Eagles’ top sideline opening.
He last served as a head coach for Arizona State, running the Sun Devils’ operation from 2001-06. The 49ers have already interviewed Chip Kelly, Anthony Lynn and John DeFilippo, and will meet with
Hue Jackson on Sunday.
Photo courtesy USA Today Sports Images
Last time the Browns hired a Patriots coach, it didn’t pan out so well (Romeo Crennel anyone!?)
I wouldn’t let that stop them from hiring him. Seems to be a good fit for their new organizational scheme.
I don’t think any of the Browns issues comes down to coaching. Their front office/ownership situation has always seemed to be a mess. And its hard to expect a coach to win when the roster is subpar. A couple of good players (Thomas, Mack, Haden) aren’t going to lift the team to playoff contention, especially when two of those guys are offensive linemen, if the rest of the roster is terrible.