Meet the Browns defensive coordinator targets after Joe Woods fired

BEREA — The Browns moved on from Joe Woods as their defensive coordinator fairly quickly after their 7-10 season came to an end. Within hours of the season-ending loss in Pittsburgh, he had been dismissed.

Woods’ dismissal was only hours old before it was known who some of the coaches the Browns were targeting as his replacement. Within 12 hours of the announcement, league sources had confirmed they had sent formal requests to speak with four candidates — Seattle Seahawks associate head coach/defensive assistant Sean Desai, Pittsburgh Steelers senior defensive assistant/linebackers coach Brian Flores, New England Patriots inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo and Tennessee Titans senior defensive assistant Jim Schwartz — for the opening.

Those four won’t be the only ones the Browns look at for the job. Other name that have been publicly speculated, but not confirmed as targets, include former University of Wisconsin defensive coordinator and interim head coach Jim Leonard, Denver Broncos defensive coordinator and interim head coach Ejiro Evero and Baltimore Ravens defensive line coach/run game coordinator Anthony Weaver.

For now, though, there’s only the four confirmed names. So, who, exactly, are Sean Desai, Brian Flores, Jerod Mayo and Jim Schwartz?

Sean Desai, Seattle Seahawks

Age: 39

Position: Associate head coach/defensive assistant

NFL coaching experience: Chicago Bears, defensive quality control coach, 2013-18; Bears, safeties coach, 2019-20; Bears, defensive coordinator, 2021; Seattle Seahawks, assistant head coach/defensive assistant, 2022

About Desai: Seen as a strong teacher and communicator. … Reunited in Seattle with Clint Hurtt, now the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator but who was also an assistant in Chicago from 2014-16. … Seahawks defense finished in the 20s or 30s in total yards (26th, 361.7), rushing yards (30th, 150.2) and points allowed (25th, 23.6), but 13th against the pass (211.5), which is one of Desai’s areas of expertise. … Coordinated a Bears defense in 2021 that was ranked sixth in the league — one spot behind the Browns that season —allowing 316.7 yards per game, and third in the league against the pass at 191.6 yards a game. Chicago was 22nd in points allowed at 23.9 per game and 23rd against the run at 125.1 yards a game. … Originally hired in Chicago by Marc Trestman, and stayed on to work under John Fox and Matt Nagy. … Connecticut native also has collegiate experience working under Al Golden at both Temple and the Miami (Fla.), as well as Frank Spaziani at Boston College.