The Cleveland Browns fired head coach Kevin Stefanski on January 5, 2026. It’s been 22 days, and the Cleveland Browns still haven’t found their next head coach. However, one of the most rumored names swirling around the Browns is Pro Football Hall of Fame, Former legendary NFL defensive player, and Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders amid the HC search. But NFL analyst Stephen A. Smith has raised a major question.
Stephen A. Smith Sends Strong Warning to the Browns Amid Deion Sanders Rumors
“Deion Sanders, my brother, we go back a long way,” Smith started his take on ESPN’s “First Take” show. “This is the most accurate and fair way to put it. I hope this happens for him. His resume doesn’t warrant it. That is the reality.”
“I believe that Deion Sanders can coach. I think the man knows football. I think he knows how to galvanize folks. We all know that he’s the greatest cornerback in the history of the sport. No doubt about it,” Smith added.
However, he sent a warning. The veteran NFL analyst added, “But the question is whether or not you deserve it. And it can’t always be about you coaching your son. Now, here’s the other part that we’d be remiss in neglecting to bring up.”
Smith said, “If you were to get the Cleveland Browns job, is that why Shedeur Sanders had such a hard time getting the opportunity? Because coaches and people within the organization were sensing that you were the heir apparent.”
“I hope this happens for him, [but] his resume doesn’t warrant it.” ✍️@stephenasmith on if the Browns should call Deion Sanders about their head coaching vacancy 🏈 pic.twitter.com/aWXFxiVv5a
— First Take (@FirstTake) January 27, 2026
Five coaches have now declined interest in the job, including Grant Udinski, Chris Shula, Mike McDaniel, Jesse Minter, and John Harbaugh. With that growing list of refusals, Cleveland’s pool of conventional candidates is beginning to thin, prompting the organization to consider a different direction.
One alternative they might look toward for their next head coach is former NFL star Sanders.
If you remove the hype and focus only on the coaching resume, Deion does not truly match what Cleveland should be looking for in a head coach right now. His record at the Power Five level with Colorado is below .500, and that is a serious concern.
Additionally, his time at Colorado also raises questions about consistency. There was improvement in one season, but it was not followed by sustained progress.
Sanders began his head-coaching career at Jackson State, where from 2020 to 2022 he compiled a 27-6 record, winning two SWAC titles and dramatically lifting the program’s profile and success at the FCS level.
After moving to the University of Colorado in 2023, his results have been mixed. In his first season, Colorado finished 4-8, then improved to 9-4 in 2024 with a bowl appearance. But regressed to 3-9 in 2025, giving him a 16-21 record at Colorado through three seasons. Across all his college head-coaching years, his combined record stands 43-27.
Uneven results suggest a program still trying to establish a stable identity, which is not the kind of foundation a franchise in a tough division should rely on. The Browns are already struggling. They rank dead last on the PFSN NFL QB Impact metrics.
Cleveland’s situation makes the fit even more difficult. The lack of NFL coaching experience and the potential complications of coaching his own son add to the uncertainty surrounding an already risky move.
So, Deion could develop into a capable NFL coach in the future, but his current track record points more to being an inspirational program builder than a proven NFL head coach.
