How Bill Belichick played a role in Cleveland's recent upheaval

Schiano and Belichick: AP Photo, Jimmy Haslam: Janet Lueken/ WEWS

You probably don't need me to tell you that the Cleveland Browns are dysfunctional, but in case you do here's a brief recap of their offseason. They fired first year Head Coach Rob Chudzinski, much to the chagrin of their veteran leaders, leading to an embarrassing prolonged coaching search in which they were turned down by several high profile candidates. However, after they finally settled on Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, owner Jimmy Haslam (whose Pilot Flying J Travel Center's are under federal investigation for fraud) decided to make another abrupt shakeup, firing CEO Joe Banner and GM Mike Lombardi.

So, why would the Browns fire their braintrust merely two weeks after they were key figures in the process of hiring a head coach? According to the MMQB's Peter King, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick played a small role.

"Bill Belichick and Urban Meyer were strong in recommendations for fired Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano—Belichick called twice—and here’s where I hear there was a major rift in the organization. Banner wanted nothing to do with Schiano. Haslam was intrigued with him after the over-the-top recommendation from Belichick. The group flew to Tampa to interview Schiano, and one source said Banner was cold to Schiano, not participating much in the interview. Banner likely thought Schiano would be a disastrous hire, given all the negatives in recent Cleveland history. He was probably right, but the owner was open to it, and when the owner’s open to it, the man running football operations should at least consider it."

Schiano was predictably fired this January after a disastrous two-year stint in Tampa. While Bucs fans will remember Schiano for his clashes with QB Josh Freeman, Patriots fans will fondly remember him for trading Aqib Talib and LeGarrette Blount to the Pats for relative peanuts.

Perhaps Belichick was hoping hypothetical Browns Coach Schiano might not like Josh Gordon's attitude and decide to trade him to New England for a fifth round pick. Either way, I'm so sorry, Cleveland.