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The Cleveland Browns are in the market for a new defensive coordinator after Jim Schwartz submitted his letter of resignation when the team opted to hire Todd Monken over him as head coach.
It was reported at the time that Schwartz said his goodbyes, packed up his office, and stormed out of the building. Schwartz apparently met with new head coach Monken ahead of submitting his letter of resignation, but it did not smooth things over.
As a result, the Browns are potentially turning over their defensive staff as well. So, how is the search going? We've got you covered here at Browns Wire.
As the Browns look to replace Schwartz, they turn first to two candidates who worked under him. Linebackers coach Jason Tarver and safeties coach Ephraim Banda are the first two names to land an interview with the Browns as they search for a new defensive coordinator.
Tarver was a defensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders from 2012-2014, while Banda has received interest in back-to-back years from teams looking for a new defensive coordinator. He interviewed for the Dallas Cowboys' opening this past season.
Former New York Giants assistant and interim defensive coordinator this past season, Charlie Bullen, has landed an interview request from the Browns. Despite a change in regime, Bullen is still under contract in the Big Apple, and has spent the last 15 years in the NFL. He has held posts as assistant defensive line coach, assistant linebackers coach, pass rush specialist, outside linebackers coach, and more.
Mike Rutenberg, who has spent the last decade coaching under names like Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich, has been requested for an interview in Cleveland. He most recently has held the post of passing game coordinator under Ulbrich and former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris. Former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski retained Ulbrich and his staff, so he is currently still under contract with the Falcons.
Aubrey Pleasant, the current defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams, is the new name to add to the list of candidates to replace Jim Schwartz. Pleasant has a world of experience as a passing game coordinator and has spent the last three seasons with the Rams.
Jonathan Cooley, a defensive assistant under Ejiro Evero with the Carolina Panthers, is the latest name the Browns have requested to interview. He finished third season with the team as their passing game specialist. He also has experience coaching defensive backs and has been coaching in the NFL since 2020.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns DC tracker: Every rumor in the quest to replace Jim Schwartz
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It was reported at the time that Schwartz said his goodbyes, packed up his office, and stormed out of the building. Schwartz apparently met with new head coach Monken ahead of submitting his letter of resignation, but it did not smooth things over.
As a result, the Browns are potentially turning over their defensive staff as well. So, how is the search going? We've got you covered here at Browns Wire.
Browns interview two internal candidates to replace their former boss
As the Browns look to replace Schwartz, they turn first to two candidates who worked under him. Linebackers coach Jason Tarver and safeties coach Ephraim Banda are the first two names to land an interview with the Browns as they search for a new defensive coordinator.
Tarver was a defensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders from 2012-2014, while Banda has received interest in back-to-back years from teams looking for a new defensive coordinator. He interviewed for the Dallas Cowboys' opening this past season.
The Browns interviewed safeties coach Ephraim Banda and linebackers coach Jason Tarver for their defensive coordinator job, per sources.
Banda coordinated defenses at Miami and Utah State and was a finalist for multiple DC jobs this year. Tarver was the Raiders DC from 2012-14. pic.twitter.com/6M2c2z80Le
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 8, 2026
Giants assistant gets an interview request
Former New York Giants assistant and interim defensive coordinator this past season, Charlie Bullen, has landed an interview request from the Browns. Despite a change in regime, Bullen is still under contract in the Big Apple, and has spent the last 15 years in the NFL. He has held posts as assistant defensive line coach, assistant linebackers coach, pass rush specialist, outside linebackers coach, and more.
Another interview request for #Giants assistant coach Charlie Bullen. The #Browns have asked to interview him for their defensive coordinator job, source says. Bullen is also in the mix for the #AZCardinals’ DC gig. pic.twitter.com/8rE5tBXWPR
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 9, 2026
Jeff Ulbrich understudy earns interview in Cleveland
Mike Rutenberg, who has spent the last decade coaching under names like Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich, has been requested for an interview in Cleveland. He most recently has held the post of passing game coordinator under Ulbrich and former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris. Former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski retained Ulbrich and his staff, so he is currently still under contract with the Falcons.
Browns have requested to interview Falcons defensive pass-game coordinator Mike Rutenberg for their defensive coordinator job, per source.
Rutenberg was the No. 2 for the Tennessee DC job that went to Gus Bradley. https://t.co/YFE8cvKKUP
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 9, 2026
Rams defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator lands interview with Browns
Aubrey Pleasant, the current defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams, is the new name to add to the list of candidates to replace Jim Schwartz. Pleasant has a world of experience as a passing game coordinator and has spent the last three seasons with the Rams.
Rams assistant head coach/pass game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant will speak to the Browns today about their open defensive coordinator job, per source.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 9, 2026
Panthers assistant under well-regarded Ejiro Evero get added to the list
Jonathan Cooley, a defensive assistant under Ejiro Evero with the Carolina Panthers, is the latest name the Browns have requested to interview. He finished third season with the team as their passing game specialist. He also has experience coaching defensive backs and has been coaching in the NFL since 2020.
Browns have requested to interview Panthers defensive pass-game coordinator Jonathan Cooley for their defensive coordinator job, per source.
Cooley was requested by Jacksonville last cycle as well. pic.twitter.com/t5YSZE2FcR
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 9, 2026
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns DC tracker: Every rumor in the quest to replace Jim Schwartz
Continue reading...