Cleveland Browns like Eric Mangini, Scott Pioli, too. Can they get them both?
The Browns' strong interest in fired Jets coach Eric Mangini could impact their search for a front-office executive, a league source with knowledge of the situation said Thursday.
The Browns interviewed Mangini on Tuesday night and were impressed with him. They interviewed Patriots Vice President Scott Pioli on Wednesday and liked him, too.
But it's unknown if the two would be willing to work together after the Spygate scandal, so for the Browns, it might come to this: Do they hire the coach they love or the general manager they love?
If the Browns hire Mangini, knowing there is evidence that the coach is the biggest indicator of a franchise's success, he'd probably already have his own right-hand personnel man in mind. If they hire Pioli, he'd undoubtedly be given the authority to hire his own coach.
One thing is certain: The Browns want their coach and GM in complete synch this time, so they'd let each man choose his partner. Pioli and Mangini were once close, but it is unknown exactly where they stand after the yearlong controversy over the Patriots' taping of the Jets' defensive signals.
Pioli left his meeting with the Browns still intent on going through with his scheduled interview with the Kansas City Chiefs. A source told The Plain Dealer on Thursday that the two sides parted ways with no timeframe for a decision from Pioli. The source said a report in the Boston Herald that the Browns gave him a deadline of Thursday was untrue.
The Browns were scheduled to interview Falcons President Rich McKay on Thursday, but the interview was postponed because McKay wanted to focus on Atlanta's playoff game Saturday in Phoenix against the Cardinals, a source said. Foxsports.com's Jay Glazer also reported Thursday that McKay and the Browns talked but "McKay informed them he is happy where he is and did not want to interview for the job or consider it until after the rest of the candidates had run their course in Cleveland."
Perhaps McKay sensed the Browns were going in a different direction, and that direction would be either Pioli or Mangini.
The Browns continue to interview other head coaching candidates, but it could be difficult for any of them to trump Mangini. They interviewed Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo on Thursday and will meet with Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz on Saturday. They've also received permission to interview Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and will interview Browns defensive coordinator Mel Tucker over the next couple of days.
Tucker also will interview for the Jets' head coach vacancy, profootballtalk.com reported Thursday.
If none of those candidates outshine Mangini, the Browns - who want to act fast - could offer Mangini a contract soon.
But the Browns also were of the mind that things could change quickly and that Pioli could be ready to leave New England. A source said Pioli had things to work out before making up his mind on what he wanted to do.
Spagnuolo also interviewed with the Lions on Thursday and will meet with the Jets on Saturday. He's believed to be the Jets' No. 1 candidate. McDaniels also is being wooed by the Broncos, ESPN.com reported.
The Browns are still interested in talking to fired Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, but he is not expected to be a top candidate.
Meanwhile, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, who would reportedly be on Pioli's short list of candidates, said Thursday after the Outback Bowl: "Scott's a great friend of mine and I think it's a mutual thing. I think it's presumptuous to think anybody knows what he's doing right now. He and I haven't talked in three weeks. We've both been doing our jobs. I've got a great job at Iowa. I've said that many, many times. The people are fantastic and I just feel very fortunate."
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