Baylor's Matt Rhule Declines Browns' Interview Request Amid Multiple NFL Coaching Opportunities
By Michael Luciano
The Cleveland Browns are in the market for a new head coach yet again after the firing of Freddie Kitchens, but one of the hottest names on the market has already turned them down.
Baylor Bears head coach Matt Rhule, who could end up coaching the New York Giants or Carolina Panthers, has declined the opportunity to interview for the Cleveland vacancy, reports NFL insider Adam Schefter.
Baylor HC Matt Rhule declined the chance to interview for the Cleveland Browns head coaching job, per league sources. Rhule is expected to be a leading candidate for the Giants’ and Panthers’ HC jobs.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 31, 2019
Rhule went 1-11 in his first year in Waco, but followed that up by winning seven games in 2018 and at 11 in 2019 ahead of Wednesday's Sugar Bowl against Georgia. He was considered for the New York Jets job last offseason, but declined after he was not permitted to pick his own offensive coordinator.
If he could be had, Rhule would be an excellent hire for a number of pro teams. However, it's not confirmed that he is passionately seeking a head coaching job in the NFL at this moment considering what he's still building at Baylor.
Quick thoughts/info on Matt Rhule
— Joel Klatt (@joelklatt) December 31, 2019
1) salary is currently in top 6 in CFB
2) buyout is north of $10 M
3) he likes Baylor and enjoys raising his young family there
Doesn’t mean he won’t leave, but he is not going to jump at average opportunities
(Public salary not accurate)
Rhule went to a Temple team stuck in neutral for a decade and instantly turned them around to respectability. In Waco, it took him just three years to take this team from scandal-wracked mess to the Sugar Bowl-bound.
Rebuilding the Browns, Giants or Panthers would be a tough undertaking, but there aren't many better options if you want to build a program or team from scratch than Rhule. Any NFL team in need ought to shoot its shot, but they ought not be surprised if and when Rhule says thanks-but-no-thanks.