They were not simply looking for someone with a strong offensive background, with a young roster and plenty of players still developing, Andrew Berry wanted a coach who could connect with players at different stages of their careers and help them grow. That played a major role in the Cleveland Browns choosing Todd Monken.
Berry recently explained that decision while speaking with Cleveland.com’s Terry Pluto, pointing specifically to Monken’s ability to understand young players and relate to them.
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Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken watches during minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Monken brings plenty of offensive experience to the Browns; however, Berry made it clear that his background as a coach was only part of the appeal. The Browns wanted someone who understood where the roster was in its development and could work with players who are still figuring out the NFL.
“He can relate to anyone from a 17-year-old college freshman to a 35-year-old father with three kids near the end of his NFL career. He has a very intimate understanding of players coming from college to the NFL,” Berry said. “You need to hire a coach who has a feel for where your team is in terms of its life cycle. We need a leader who can relate to and develop young players. Todd has a history of that, along with everything he has done with his various offenses.”
