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Jim Tressel Cleveland Browns interview report dismissed

Per a report, former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel was to apparently interview with the Cleveland Browns for their vacant head coaching position "within the next few days". Unfortunately, ESPN insider (and the oft reliable) Adam Schefter quickly came out and put a squash to any optimism on that front.

By Luke Zimmermann
Mitchell Leff

According to a report from Fox Sports 1350 Akron's Joe Dunn relayed by the almost always spot on Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland.com, Akron Vice President Jim Tressel was expected to interview for the vacant Cleveland Browns head coaching opening "within the next few days". Tressel had had expanded responsibilities within the university as Akron's presidential search had raged on, and there was even some scuttlebutt that Tressel himself could be a legitimate candidate.

Unfortunately, at the speed of Internet, ESPN's insider Adam Schefter came out over a span of 20 minutes and disproved any such possibility legitimacy of the sports talk radio scuttlebutt:

Perhaps it's only fitting on the same day that saw Penn State "hire" Al Golden then merely only "offer" him, then other outlets claim they haven't offered anyone at all, it appears we may have all gotten our hopes up prematurely.

Even were there more legitimacy to the initial report, it's tough to read how seriously the Browns would actually consider Tressel for their vacancy. With Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels thought to be strongly linked to the opening, many felt any kind of coaching search process might be over sooner rather than later. Arizona defensive coordinator Todd Bowles had also been reported to be in line for an interview There had even been reports that the Browns had recently let go Lions head coach Jim Schwartz in line to be their next defensive coordinator, which could indicate that CEO Joe Banner and GM Mike Lombardi had already been honing in on a candidate in that hunt.

Regardless, it would've been awesome to see The Vest get his name back in the mix, particularly following an unsuccessful bid for the Colts' head coaching job which ultimately went to Chuck Pagano. If nothing else, it'd one step closer to all of us seeing one of our more beloved head coaches back on the sideline where he rightfully belongs. And while he probably wouldn't have a puncher's chance, we certainly would endorse such an idea.

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