In light of a recent OBR article regarding Rob Chudzinski possibly getting a head-coaching interview or two this offseason--and how highly thought-of he's viewed around the league--I've received a couple of e-mails which basically ask the following question: "Why don't the Browns wink-wink nod-nod the head-coaching job to Chud once Romeo Crennel steps aside/is canned so that we don't lose him?"
The biggest problem with a handshake agreement like that? The "Rooney Rule" and how it governs the hiring of head coaches in the NFL.
The "Rooney Rule", named after Steelers owner Dan Rooney, requires that every team with a head-coaching vacancy interview at least one minority candidate. A 2002 report co-authored by the late Johnnie Cochran--yes, that Johnnie Cochran--on the lack of minority head coaches in the NFL directly lead to a Rooney-spearheaded diversity committee and, eventually, what's become known as "The Rooney Rule".
In spite of what people may think, the NFL takes this issue very, very seriously. Especially the new law-and-order commish.
If it were to ever come to light that the Browns had a prior agreement with Chudzinski, and that the minority interview/interviews was/were merely a token talk, the Browns would face serious repercussions from the league.
Draft-picks lost serious.
Commissioner Roger Goodell has already shown that he's not afraid to take the very men who put him into his current office--see: Kraft, Robert--and woodshed them a little bit.
In 2003, and under the stewardship of Paul Tagliabue, the Detroit Lions were fined $200K for the hiring of Steve Mariucci and without interviewing any minority candidates for their head-coaching vacancy.
Surely such a sensitive issue as minority hirings, and a blatant abuse of the Rooney Rule, would bring the full force of Goodell's almighty hammer down on the Browns.