From Schwartz to Sanders? Browns head coach hunt could get crazy

Driving the news: The team fired Kevin Stefanski on Monday, while keeping Andrew Berry on board as general manager to helm April's NFL draft.

What they're saying: "The next 120 days are crucial for the organization," Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said.

• "We've got to find the right head coach. We've got to be efficient again in free agency. We have 10 draft picks, including two [first-rounders]."

Here are some potential candidates:

Likely successors

Haslam already said defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has earned the right to interview for the job based on how good the Browns' defense has been.

• Likewise, Cleveland fought to keep offensive coordinator Tommy Rees when he interviewed for the open Penn State coaching job late last year.

Outside options

The annual list of head coaching candidates is usually dominated by the top coordinators around the league.

• Defensive coaches like Brian Flores (Minnesota Vikings), Jeff Hafley (Green Bay Packers) and Vance Joseph (Denver Broncos) are hot commodities.
• If Cleveland wants a coach focused on offense, Matt Nagy (Kansas City Chiefs), Joe Brady (Buffalo Bills) or Klint Kubiak (Seattle Seahawks) could be in play.

Let's get crazy

The Browns would likely have to trade their two first-round picks to pry the No. 1 pick away from the Las Vegas Raiders and select Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza.

• It would take that (and probably a miracle) to lure Coach of the Year Curt Cignetti away from the Indiana Hoosiers, who just gave him a new eight-year contract.

You've probably seen the memes suggesting the Browns hire Deion Sanders to coach his son Shedeur in Cleveland.

• It might be a crazy move, but one that would make Cleveland the talk of the NFL.