Browns Have Sought Nick Saban for Organization Role
The Cleveland franchise aims to recruit the legendary former coach for a new leadership position.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Football
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Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has reportedly initiated an effort to hire former college coach Nick Saban for an organizational role. The team aims to pair Saban with college quarterback Arch Manning, whom they target for acquisition in the upcoming NFL draft.
Why it matters
The franchise hopes to leverage the extensive experience of the seven-time NCAA champion to reshape its leadership structure. This move signals an aggressive attempt to overhaul team operations by integrating high-profile coaching wisdom with emerging talent.
Nick Saban currently holds a career record of seven NCAA championships and served as the Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator for four seasons. The team possesses two first-round draft picks to potentially secure Arch Manning.
The players
Jimmy Haslam
He is the current owner of the Cleveland Browns.
Nick Saban
He is a former collegiate head coach with seven NCAA titles who currently works as an ESPN analyst.
Arch Manning
He is a collegiate quarterback currently playing football in Texas.
The details
Jimmy Haslam is looking to reunite with Saban, who previously served as the defensive coordinator in Cleveland from 1991 to 1994. The Browns are evaluating trade options to move up in the April 2027 draft to ensure they can select quarterback Arch Manning.
Timeline
Nick Saban served as the Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator from 1991 to 1994.
Saban coached the Miami Dolphins for two seasons between 2005 and 2006.
Following the 2023 season, Saban retired from his college coaching career.
Nick Saban will turn 75 years old at the end of October 2026.
Cleveland is planning to potentially draft Arch Manning in April 2027.
Season Trajectory
This potential organizational shift marks a departure from the 1991-1994 Cleveland Browns defensive coaching tenure of Nick Saban. The move aims to drastically improve the team's standing in the league ahead of the 2027 draft cycle.
The acquisition of two first-round draft picks gives Cleveland significant leverage to move up for Arch Manning in 2027. Fans should monitor the team's trade activity as the draft approaches to see if they secure the required capital.
The takeaway
Bringing a seven-time champion into the front office demonstrates a clear intent to move past recent performance struggles. Fans and analysts will watch closely to see if the team can successfully pair this veteran leadership with a top-tier draft pick.
Further reading
For more information on team changes, visit Football.
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