Los Angeles Chargers DC Jesse Minter is no longer in the mix for Cleveland Browns head coach job
And then there were four.
The Cleveland Browns search for a new head coach hit a few speed bumps this week after the team initially scheduled in-person interviews with six different candidates. Suddenly, a second one took his name out of the mix and canceled his interview with the team.
Los Angeles Chargers DC Jesse Minter was scheduled to meet with the team in-person on Thursday, but abruptly withdrew his name from consideration according to Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot.
The report indicates that Minter believes he has more certainty with other head coach interviews he's taking this week. He also has second interviews scheduled with the Las Vegas Raiders and with Cleveland division rival the Baltimore Ravens. He's believed to be the favorite to land the later job.
Minter's cancellation marks the second time this week that a head coach candidate bowed out of the running for the Browns job. Ex-Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel did the same thing earlier in the week. He was scheduled for an in-person interview with Cleveland on Wednesday, but wound up taking the Los Angeles Chargers' offensive coordinator job instead.
With Minter and McDaniel off the board for the Browns, four known candidates remain in their search. Current defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz had a second interview on Monday for the job, former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken had his second interview on Tuesday.
Jacksonville Jaguars OC Grant Udinski remains in the mix and is expected to interview with Cleveland on Friday, in person. Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase is also expected to interview in-person.
With the Rams playing in the NFC Championship this weekend, though, Scheelhaase can't take an in-person interview until Monday, Jan. 26 at the earliest.
The Browns are also going to have to hold an in-person interview with at least one additional candidate in order to fulfill the Rooney Rule. Right now, Scheelhaase would be one minority candidate interviewing for the job. McDaniel was meant to be the second before bowing out.
Per the rule, teams must interview at least "two external diverse — minority and/or female — candidates for any GM or head coaching interview."