A social media post from 2017 by the newly appointed Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken has resurfaced, providing supporters with a transparent insight into his political perspectives. Monken, who recently transitioned to the beleaguered Browns from the Baltimore Ravens this week, expressed enthusiastic admiration for Donald Trump shortly after the president's electoral triumph in 2016.
Monken's Controversial Post Reemerges
In the post, Monken wrote: 'Don't get the Trump hatred. All the man did was run for office and the ELECTORAL COLLEGE voted him in. Is that his fault? Don't think so!' The reappearance of this statement on Friday has ignited a spectrum of responses among the Browns' dedicated fanbase, who promptly flooded the comments section with their diverse viewpoints.
Mixed Reactions from Supporters
One enthusiastic fan commented: 'The Browns have found themselves a great coach!' while another added: 'Couldn't agree more coach!' However, not all reactions were positive. A critic advised Monken: 'Stay in your lane and stay out of politics.' Another sceptical supporter questioned: 'Welp... who are we hiring next offseason Browns fans?' demonstrating the divisive nature of the post.
Amidst the debate, one fan humorously inquired: 'Where can I purchase a Todd Monken jersey? Thank you in advance,' highlighting the varied engagement from the community.
Monken's Appointment and Background
The Cleveland Browns officially hired Todd Monken on Wednesday, marking him as the franchise's nineteenth full-time head coach. This appointment concluded a three-week search process, with Monken succeeding Kevin Stefanski, who was dismissed on January 5th following Cleveland's disappointing 5-12 season conclusion.
This role represents Monken's inaugural head coaching position in the NFL after accumulating eleven years of experience as an assistant coach. He previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens over the past three seasons, and notably held the same position with the Browns under Freddie Kitchens' leadership in 2019.
Competition and Organisational Challenges
Throughout the hiring process, there was increasing speculation that defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz had emerged as the favoured candidate, particularly as the list of potential hires diminished. Schwartz has been instrumental in developing one of the league's premier defences over the last three seasons. Under his guidance, Cleveland led the NFL in total defence during 2023 and secured fourth place this season, with Myles Garrett achieving twenty-three sacks and breaking the NFL single-season record.
Although Schwartz remains under contract for one additional season, he is anticipated to explore opportunities elsewhere after being overlooked for the head coaching position. Losing Schwartz would represent another significant setback for owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam, whose tenure since acquiring the Browns in 2012 has been characterised more by organisational dysfunction than by constructing a victorious team.
Monken now becomes the seventh head coach appointed by the Haslams. The previous six coaches collectively achieved a regular-season record of seventy-three wins, one hundred and thirty-nine losses, and one tie, which stands as the second-worst performance in the entire NFL during that period.
