If there’s one thing that’s certain about Cleveland Browns coach Todd Monken, it’s that he’s very comfortable in his own skin. Getting his first opportunity at age 60, Monken isn’t about to pretend he’s something he’s not.
While it didn’t always come across positively, especially when talking to the media, it certainly worked with the Browns players. It also allowed Monken to seek advice that other coaches might not.
After being hired by the Browns, Monken contacted Sean McDermott, who was fired by the Buffalo Bills less than two weeks earlier. The two shared a conversation that resonated with McDermott.
McDermott recently revealed what surprised him about Monken, saying he admired his vulnerability in seeking his input.
“I didn’t know Todd really well. I knew his job, but I’d never interacted with him. Funny story. So he reached out to me in the past, I believe it was early March, and he was really interested in my first team meeting in Buffalo in 2017. And that’s something I’ve never been asked in nine seasons as a head coach. They ask us questions about scheme, leadership, etc., but Todd reached out to him and he’s my first team. wanted to hear about my meeting and how I closed the building and made sure everyone valued every department like a team meeting, especially when he’s just coming on the job and he’s about to go to his first team meeting with his new group,” McDermott said.
After being hired by the Bills, McDermott would do a team bonding exercise where a player would turn to his teammates and tell them something about their life and journey. It helped build a foundation that resulted in eight playoff appearances in nine seasons, though he never made it to the Super Bowl, McDermott lost his job.
McDermott said Monken showed that when a coach carries himself and can show humor and humility, player buy-in will increase. That proved true, for example, with the Browns, who made no push for their controversial decision to name Deshaun Watson as their starting quarterback.
Monke also has his edge and he knows how to play the world card against us. McDermott said Mike Tomlin dropped a gift in Monke’s lap with a sarcastic comment about the Browns after the Week 1 loss, which he has since used to rally his team to three straight wins.
Monken can only hope McDermott is as successful with the Browns as he was with the Bills, and the former coach believes he’s off to a great start.
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