Jokesters edited Wikipedia, falsely naming Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski head coach of the Cleveland Browns. The real joke? Cleveland's hiring woes continue.
According to Wikipedia, the Cleveland Browns had hired Grant Udinski as their a new head coach on Friday.
Udinski also had been hired as the Browns' offensive coordinator, at least his Wikipedia profile said so.
Wikipedia's page on Udinski, the Jags' offensive coordinator, was changed twice on Friday by two temporary, no-longer-exist accounts. One of the edits listed the most recent entry in Udinski's coaching history as the Browns' new offensive coordinator; the other edit led the right-side breakout box, listing his current position as Cleveland's head coach.
Jaguars coordinator Grant Udinski's Wikipedia page was hijacked on Friday, as anonymous editors updated his profile to make it appear he was simultaneously the head coach of the Browns and hired as their offensive coordinator. The phony edits were corrected Friday afternoon. (Screenshot)At around 5 p.m. ET on Friday, Udinski's profile was updated again to return him to his real life and to the fold of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Whoever the jokesters are that added those phony updates to Udinski's profile, the real joke is on the Browns.
Cleveland couldn't hire a head coach right now, even if its front office wanted to: the team has fumbled so far on meeting the NFL's Rooney-Rule requirement to interview at least two minority candidates before making a hire.
The Browns have completed three first- and second-round interviews in their efforts to replace fired coach Kevin Stefanski -- first with Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and with Todd Monken, offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens under ousted coach John Harbaugh.
Udinski was meeting again with the Browns on Friday, though interviews are reportedly continuing into next week because of the Rooney requirement. The Browns now are planning on interviewing Los Angeles Rams assistant Nate Scheelhaase a second time, but can't bring him in until after the Rams-Seahawks NFC Championship Game on Sunday.
The Browns got the brush-off early this week from Mike McDaniel, who the Los Angeles Chargers reportedly hired Tuesday as their new offensive coordinator. The former Dolphins coach declined a second interview in Cleveland, though McDaniel has since accepted an interview with the Buffalo Bills for their coaching vacancy.
After McDaniel shot them down, the Browns have also been snubbed by Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, who accepted interviews at the behest of other teams, but not Cleveland. And Jesse Minter on Thursday cancelled a second meeting with the Browns, then accepted the head-coach job with the Ravens.
While Schwartz and Monken appear to be genuinely interested in coaching the Browns, who at least field a top-notch defense, Udinski's interest is less clear. Is he going through the process for the experience? Does he really want the job?
Udinski also is a head-coach candidate for the Bills.
The Bills, for whatever dubious reasons, kicked Sean McDermott to the curb after Buffalo lost in overtime to the top-seeded Denver Broncos in the second round of the playoffs.
A lot of hype has accompanied Udinski interview news, as the 30-year-old would be the youngest head coach in NFL history if hired.
That's a big if, one would kind of sorta have to think. The reasons why are obvious. For starters, he's only 30, and not Sean-McVay 30. Udinski has not called plays as an NFL coordinator, since he's only been an OC for one team, the Jags, and first-year head coach Liam Coen was the one calling plays this season.
The Bills are set to interview Udinski on Sunday, following the team's meetings with Washington Commanders run game coordinator Anthony Lynn; Anthony Weaver, formerly the Dolphins defensive coordinator; and Mike McDaniel, who can certainly test the waters in Buffalo before taking a drink with the Chargers.
For now, though, given the chaos in both Cleveland and Buffalo, one would sort of kinda have to think that Udinski may be in over his head.
ㅤ
Join the Community! Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news! It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!