There is a very valid argument for hiring a coordinator to be a team's head coach. After all, how else does a guy get his shot at being a head coach? It makes sense for a lot of teams to hire a coordinator, whether it's his first attempt or a vaunted second chance. But, for a team like the Cleveland Browns, hiring a coordinator to fill the vacancy left by the recently-fired Eric Mangini just doesn't seem to make sense.

Owner Randy Lerner hired Eric Mangini so quickly in 2009 that fans aren't used to how a coaching search should operate. There are going to be a lot of names thrown around and a lot of coaching rumors that will either be laughable or scary. Rarely does one seem like the right choice. That being said, there is usually that ideal candidate, the coach that fits so well into the team's plans that it seems unfair to even make John Q. Coordinator go through the preparations for an interview.

The Browns have fallen into the fortuitous position of having two great candidates for the head coaching job in Jon Gruden and team president Mike Holmgren. The only problem is that it's unclear just how much interest either of them has in coaching the Browns in 2011. All Holmgren has to do is say he's going to coach and the job is his, but he would obviously want to interview other candidates first.

Gruden has become so deeply immersed in his cushy broadcasting gig that it's impossible to tell what he's going to do. At this point, even he has no idea if/when he'll return to coach in the NFL. That is, unless the Browns organization knows something we don't, which is also entirely likely.

But, then again, that could just be wishful thinking. That's what a slew of ho-hum coaching candidates will do to you.

For Browns news on Twitter, follow @Browns_Live.

For more on the Cleveland Browns, check out FanSided's Dawg Pound Daily blog.

-- STEVE DIMATTEO
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