Appearing on the Rich Eishen Show (Twitter link) on Thursday, Bruce Arians reiterated his interest in landing the Browns’ head coaching position, but also noted he doesn’t expect to be interviewed.
Arians also indicated he would not call offensive plays were he to be hired as a head coach. That’s in concert with Arians’ previous statements regarding the Cleveland job, as he’s said he’d keep Freddie Kitchens — who coached under Arians with the Cardinals — in place as the Browns’ OC. Arians, a cancer survivor, said he’s received a “clean bill of health” from doctors, tweets Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan.
Although Arians had been expected to be a hot name in NFL head coaching searches this offseason, Arians himself recently said it’s probably a “99-to-1” chance that he’ll be back on the sidelines in 2019. If Arians does take another position, the Cardinals could theoretically attempt to seek draft pick compensation from his new club. Arians still had time left on his contract when he retired in January, so Arizona still holds his rights.
Arians, 66, served as an offensive coordinator for several teams before taking over as the Colts’ interim head coach in 2012. He served in that capacity while Pagano dealt with a cancer diagnosis, leading Indianapolis to nine wins while taking home Coach of the Year honors. Arians subsequently landed in the desert, and posted a 49-30-1 regular season record with the Cardinals over five seasons.
What a pathetic state to take. “I will only interview for 1 job. I will not change OC because he’s a friend. Most likely I will not coach but be paid to talk bland as heck on TV for my next check.’
I don’t see an issue with only having interest in one job, although it’s surprising to hear him admit to it. He has the right to pick where he works; that’s kind of the point.
Also, if you think Kitchens would be retained as OC just because he has a relationship with Arians, then you clearly don’t watch Browns games. Ever since he took control from Hue/Haley, their offense has been creative and — I can’t believe I’m saying this — good. He’s done a great job running the offense and calling plays, so he absolutely deserves to be back. It’s not just as a favor to his buddy.
It’s called being a position of comfort and having the option to pick and choose what he wants to do next. If it happens, cool. If it doesn’t, oh well.
I’m not a cardinals fan but he did a hell of a job with an aging roster with no real playmakers outside of Fitzgerald and David Johnson he would do a good job for the Browns with a lot of the young talent they have on their roster
Problem is he doesn’t have the “ Right to Pick “ where he works the Cardinals do.
No, he still has the right to pick where he works — just like he had the right to retire.
The Cardinals have the right to get compensation in return if he happens to get a new job. That’s not the same thing.
So I guy who quit on his former team is going to get hired to teach players not to quit? This makes sense to which GMs?