A coaching hire creates tension that could reshape Cleveland’s future.

The Cleveland Browns finally wrapped up their messy head coaching search by hiring former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken. That ended the search, but it quickly created new problems.

Several top candidates had already backed out of the job. Some took smaller roles with other teams. Others walked away late in the process. People around the league said internal power struggles scared them off. Now those issues are causing trouble inside the team.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, tension started almost immediately after Monken was hired. Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz was not happy with the move. His reaction now puts one of the NFL’s best defenses at risk of falling apart.

Jim Schwartz Fallout Shakes Browns

Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz (Photo Via Imagn Images)
Pelissero said Jim Schwartz did not take it well. He was upset after the Browns chose Todd Monken over him as head coach. Schwartz reportedly said goodbye to staff inside the building and told other coaches he does not plan to return.

“After the Browns informed DC Jim Schwartz this morning they were passing him over to hire Todd Monken as head coach, Schwartz was visibly upset, said goodbyes in the building and told other coaches he’s not coming back, sources tell The Insiders. Schwartz is under contract and Cleveland wants to retain him. But his future is now unclear,” Pelissero wrote.

The news sent shock around the league. Schwartz had built one of the NFL’s best defenses, and Cleveland depended on that group to remain competitive. Losing him would be a major blow.

Team officials still hope to keep Schwartz, but that looks unlikely. Sources say he does not want to stay after being passed over.

Problems had been building for weeks. Several coaching candidates pulled out of Cleveland’s search, reportedly because of concerns about Schwartz’s role and influence. Grant Udinski, Mike McDaniel, and Jesse Minter all exited the process. Minter later accepted the Ravens head coaching job.

Cleveland.com reported that Monken was open to keeping Schwartz as defensive coordinator. After this reaction, that option is now off the table.

Owner Jimmy Haslam publicly backed Schwartz earlier this month. “We think a lot of Jim Schwartz,” Haslam told reporters on Jan. 5. That support did not translate into the top job.

The Browns now have a difficult decision to make. They may need to replace a defensive leader that the team trusted.

Hiring a head coach fixed one issue, but it may have caused another for sure.

Luka Doncic ‘destroys’ the Mavs on his return. Gets standing ovation and shows love to Mark Cuban

Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.

It’s rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was no ordinary night.

Just days before February’s trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakers—a move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.

On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting “Fire Nico” in protest.

Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the league’s brightest stars—and a night Dallas won’t soon forget

The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Dončić

While the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.

Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading “Hvala za vse,” which translates from Slovenian to “thank you for everything.” It was a thoughtful nod to Doncic’s heritage and impact on the franchise.

Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncic’s most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonated—moving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.

Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team

Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.

From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutes—marking the 10th time in his career he’s scored 30 or more in a single half.

Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.