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The Browns are interviewing their safeties coach, Ephraim Banda, and their linebackers coach, Jason Tarver, for their defensive coordinator opening
The Cleveland Browns have had a rocky start to the offseason, which shouldn’t come as much of a surprise when considering the franchise’s recent history. After a prolonged head coach search, the Browns eventually landed on former Baltimore Ravens‘ offensive coordinator Todd Monken as their new leader.
The problem with hiring Monken is that it led to the team’s defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz, resigning from his post, despite the team’s desire to keep him in town. Now, Monken has had to begin working on finding a replacement for Schwartz, and it sounds like he will be taking a closer look at two internal candidates who are already on his staff in Cleveland.
Browns Set to Interview Ephraim Banda, Jason Tarver for Defensive Coordinator Job
The Browns interviewed safeties coach Ephraim Banda and linebackers coach Jason Tarver for their defensive coordinator job, per sources.
Banda coordinated defenses at Miami and Utah State and was a finalist for multiple DC jobs this year. Tarver was the Raiders DC from 2012-14.
Throughout the Browns’ search for a new head coach, a true frontrunner failed to emerge. Schwartz ended up becoming the top candidate by default, but regardless, the expectation across the league was that he would be promoted to replace Kevin Stefanski as the team’s new head coach. Instead, it was Monken who ended up landing the job.
Unsurprisingly, Schwartz wasn’t too pleased with that decision, and he quickly made it clear he had no intention of returning to Cleveland for the 2026 campaign. While the Browns hoped he’d change his mind, Schwartz resigned from his position last week, confirming that Monken would, in fact, need to find a new defensive coordinator.
While Schwartz is gone, Monken has made it abundantly clear that he wants to keep a similar defensive system in place for the team moving forward. As a result, the team will interview a pair of internal candidates who have experience working with Schwartz, safeties coach Ephraim Banda, and linebackers coach Jason Tarver, for their new defensive coordinator opening.
“The Browns interviewed safeties coach Ephraim Banda and linebackers coach Jason Tarver for their defensive coordinator job, per sources,” Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported in a post on X. “Banda coordinated defenses at Miami and Utah State and was a finalist for multiple DC jobs this year. Tarver was the Raiders DC from 2012-14.”
Should the Browns Promote Ephraim Banda or Jason Tarver?
GettyThe Browns are interviewing their safeties coach, Ephraim Banda, and their linebackers coach, Jason Tarver, for their defensive coordinator opening
Both Banda and Tarver have spent the past three seasons working as part of Schwartz’s defensive staff, so if there’s anyone who knows how his system is supposed to work, it’s these guys. Tarver has more NFL experience between these two guys, as he spent three years working as the Oakland Raiders’ defensive coordinator from 2012 to 2014.
It should come as no surprise that pretty much every guy Monken has targeted so far for his defensive coordinator opening has some sort of tie to Schwartz. The search for his replacement is still in its early days, though, so it remains to be seen who has the inside edge for this gig right now. Banda and Tarver are in the hunt, so they are a pair of candidates that will be worth keeping tabs on as Monken’s search heats up.
Owen Crisafulli Owen Crisafulli is a Breaking News Writer at Heavy. In addition to writing for Heavy, Owen works as a Content Producer for More Views Media. His work has also appeared on ClutchPoints, The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, Basketball Network, and FanSided, where he shared his insights on a variety of sports topics primarily surrounding the NFL, NBA, and MLB. More about Owen Crisafulli
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