Throughout the Browns' search for a new head coach, ClevelandBrowns.com will break down the candidates after their interview with the team's search committee is complete. It continues today with a look at Doug Marrone, the first candidate to be interviewed who has NFL head coaching experience.
- After leading the Bills to a 9-7 record in 2014, Marrone opted out of his contract and essentially became a free agent. He interviewed for the head coaching positions in Atlanta, Chicago and New York (Jets) but ultimately settled with the Jaguars as an assistant head coach. "I don't know if Doug Marrone could ever take a year off," Jacksonville coach Gus Bradley told ESPN.com. "He's so passionate about the game and passionate about being a part of the team. I think that's what drives him. He wants to be a part of something special."
- Marrone's nine-win season in Buffalo was the team's best since 2004 and he became just the third Buffalo coach to win 15 games in his first two seasons. The Bills dealt with quarterback issues throughout the year but finished with a winning record because of their defense, which ranked fourth in the league in total defense and scoring defense. In Marrone's first season, the Bills, who were quarterbacked by rookie E.J. Manuel, led the NFL with a red-zone efficiency mark of 95.5 percent.
- When Marrone took over at Syracuse in 2009, his alma mater had gone 10-37 over the previous four seasons and hadn't finished with a winning record since 2001. Marrone's two best seasons were 2010 and 2012, when the Orange went 8-5 and finished the seasons with victories in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. The Orange, quarterbacked by future fourth-round pick Ryan Nassib, ranked 17th in the nation in total offense in 2012.
- In his three years as New Orleans' offensive coordinator, the Saints led the NFL in total offense and passing offense twice (2006 and 2008). In 2007, the Saints finished fourth in total offense. Quarterback Drew Brees played a big part in that success, but so did the offensive line, which allowed a league-low 16 sacks from 2006-08.
- Marrone ended his college playing career in 1985 by winning Co-MVP at the Cherry Bowl. A sixth-round pick by the Los Angeles Raiders, Marrone spent seven years playing professional football before his first coaching gig at Cortland State. His final playing year was spent in London, where he starred as a center for the Monarchs of the World League.
