Throughout the Browns' search for a new head coach, associate editor and staff writer Kelsey Russo will break down the candidates as they go through the interview process with the team. Next, let's look at Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski.
1) Udinski's first NFL offensive coordinator role came in 2025 when he was hired by the Jaguars. In his first season, Jacksonville finished sixth in the league in points per game at 27.9 and 11th in total offense with 5,735 total yards while averaging 337.4 yards per game. QB Trevor Lawrence finished the regular season completing 341 of 560 passing attempts for 4,007 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, while also adding 82 carries for 359 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.
When the Jaguars hired Udinski, head coach Liam Coen said the following in February 2025: "Grant will bring a wealth of knowledge, energy and a winning mindset to help lead our offense here in Jacksonville. He is a rising star in this league that has been a pillar of success for the Vikings organization, and we can't wait to have him lead our offense."
2) Udinski has quickly moved up through the coaching rankings, with his first coaching job in the NFL as a coaching assistant with the Panthers in 2020 – reuniting with head coach Matt Rhule. He spent two seasons in Carolina before joining the Vikings in 2022 as an assistant to the head coach and special projects. He then became the assistant quarterbacks coach/chief of special projects in 2023 and was promoted once again to assistant offensive coordinator and assistant quarterbacks coach in 2024.
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said the following to The Minnesota Star Tribune in 2024 of Udinski: "He's got such an unbelievable understanding, from his background on offense and defense, and his sheer football stamina is something I really admire. I joke with him all the time, 'Nobody loves football like you, man.' His mind never really wanders from it."
3) At the Vikings, the Star Tribune described Udinski as a "mentor" to rookie QB J.J. McCarthy in 2024. They would sit in meetings and take notes together, as well as practice reciting play calls. ""I feel like that's where true intelligence, true wisdom lies: making complex concepts simple," McCarthy said to the Star Tribune. "You wouldn't know he's one of the smartest in the room. That's something I really appreciate about him."
4) Udinski's first experience in coaching came as a graduate assistant at Baylor in 2019, working under Rhule and former defensive coordinator Phil Snow. That season, the Bears compiled an 11-3 record and advanced to the Big 12 Championship.
5) Udinski transferred to Towson as a walk-on in 2016 and eventually earned a scholarship. After playing tight end at Davidson for one season, he switched positions to defensive end, and totaled 15 tackles in 2017. Then he made 28 tackles and 4.5 sacks as a senior while playing all 12 games in 2018.
