CORY UNDLIN AND MIKE RUTENBERG NAMED FINALISTS FOR BROWNS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR JOB
Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator search: Cory Undlin, Mike Rutenberg, and Jason Tarver fight for the 2026 DC role
Cory Undlin, who used to run the Detroit Lions’ defence, is now in the mix for the Cleveland Browns’ defensive coordinator job.
So, here we are. The Browns have been hunting for Jim Schwartz’s replacement for about ten days now, and they’ve narrowed it down to three names. A decision’s coming soon.
Mary Kay Cabot from Cleveland.com reports the finalists: Cory Undlin, who’s currently the Texans’ passing game coordinator; Mike Rutenberg, who handles the same job for the Falcons; and the last in-house option, linebackers coach Jason Tarver.
The Browns need a new coordinator because Schwartz is out; he was frustrated after the team passed him over for the head coach job when they fired Kevin Stefanski. Schwartz had the defence humming, too. His first year, they finished No. 6 in Pro Football Focus’ rankings, then No. 8, and last year, they jumped to No. 2.
Only one candidate left from inside the building: Tarver. There’s been a lot of talk about keeping Schwartz’s “wide nine” approach, even if someone else takes over. That definitely helps Tarver’s cause since he’s been on staff under Schwartz for three seasons.
Tarver’s been a defensive coordinator before, but it didn’t go great. With the Raiders from 2012 to 2014, his defences ranked 28th, 29th, and 32nd in points allowed. Not exactly a glowing record.
Still, keeping Tarver would probably go over well with the players and coaches, especially those who weren’t thrilled with how the Schwartz situation played out. But there’s also a case for new head coach Todd Monken bringing in someone he knows and trusts. That’s where Undlin comes in; he and Monken go way back to their Jaguars days nearly twenty years ago.
Undlin also spent time with Schwartz on the Eagles’ staff from 2016 to 2019.
Then there’s Rutenberg, who’s kind of the wild card. He doesn’t have any clear ties to Monken or the Browns. He’s only been with the Falcons for a year, and before that, he coached linebackers for the Jets from 2021 to 2024.
Monken told reporters at his first press conference that he hoped Schwartz would stay, but he also said the Browns could run Schwartz’s system without him. He made a point that it’s the players, not the coordinator, who make the defence work.
That’s only part of the story. Under Schwartz, plenty of guys who hadn’t really stood out before started playing at a new level, like Maliek Collins, Alex Wright, and Devin Bush. Even Myles Garrett, one of the league’s best pass rushers, gave Schwartz a tonne of credit.
“I don’t think I get two DPOYs without Jim,” Garrett said last week. “He helped mould my potential as a player and put me in a scheme that fit me. He let me do what I do best: rush the passer and attack up front. See the ball? Go get it.
“So, can we keep that going? It’s about the guys we have in the locker room. We all need to be on the same page, focused on the mission, and attack it with urgency.”
BUSINESS MOVE: DISCOVER WHY TENNIS STAR NICK KYRGIOS INVESTED IN INDOOR PICKLEBALL CLUBS
The Picklr CEO, Jorge Barragan, welcomes Nick Kyrgios to help introduce pickleball to a global audience via 100+ clubs.
Nick Kyrgios is diving even deeper into pickleball, teaming up with The Picklr, one of the fastest-growing pickleball club operators in the U.S., in an investment and sponsorship deal. Now, he’s not just an investor; he’s also the company’s athlete ambassador, adding another chapter to his growing business life outside tennis.
You’ll see Kyrgios popping up at promotional events, driving social media buzz, and helping create co-branded content to put The Picklr on more people’s radar. The Picklr already runs over 100 locations across the country, and with pickleball’s popularity exploding lately, they’re not slowing down.
Kyrgios hasn’t been shy about his interest in pickleball. Alongside his tennis career, he’s already put money into Vulcan Sporting Goods and Stack Athletics, building a portfolio that really shows he’s in it for the long haul.
This latest move also has a product twist. The Picklr gets an exclusive sales window from March 11 to March 17 for a new paddle co-developed with Kyrgios. They just showed it off at a Las Vegas media event, and naturally, it’s called The Kyrgios.
The Picklr made everything official on Tuesday, saying Kyrgios is joining as both an investor and public face of the brand. For them, his international profile is a chance to draw even more eyes to pickleball, maybe even beyond North America.
In his new role, Kyrgios will work on promotional campaigns, show up at brand events, and connect with members and fans online as The Picklr tries to put itself at the centre of pickleball’s rapid rise.
The Picklr’s CEO, Jorge Barragan, couldn’t be happier. He’s long admired Kyrgios for his talent and the energy he brings on court. But more than that, Barragan says Kyrgios genuinely believes in what The Picklr is building. “Together, we’re going to introduce pickleball to a global audience in a way this sport has never seen,” he said.
Kyrgios keeps making moves in pickleball, too. Off the tennis tour, he’s always talking about how much he loves the game, especially as something to do with friends and family. The social side of it draws him in, and this partnership lines up with that perfectly, while also expanding his business footprint in the sport.
Right now, The Picklr is focused on growing its indoor club network, trying to reach even more players as pickleball’s popularity keeps climbing.
With this deal, Kyrgios’ signature paddle launches first at The Picklr, both in their clubs and online, so any member, whether or not they can try it before it goes wider.
For Kyrgios, the community vibe at The Picklr was a big selling point. He said, “When I play pickleball, I enjoy it most with my friends and family. It’s become part of our lives. And when we’re at The Picklr, we’re playing at a different level. The facilities, the courts, and the community it makes me a better player. When a place does that and brings people together, you know it’s special. That’s why I wanted to be part of this.”
With the partnership set, both sides are betting this will boost pickleball’s reach and make it even more accessible. As the sport keeps growing worldwide, Kyrgios’ involvement is a sign that top athletes see real opportunity and a bright future in pickleball.
COACH JJ REDICK ISSUES CRYPTIC "COUPLE MORE DAYS" WARNING FOR LEBRON JAMES
LeBron James remains day-to-day with hip injuries as the Lakers climb to the 4th seed behind Luka Doncic's triple-double.
LeBron James glanced over his shoulder during a timeout Tuesday night, just another moment in a season that’s starting to feel pretty uncertain for the Lakers. The team picked up a big win over the Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena, but the bigger question hanging over everything: When will LeBron be back?
The latest update isn’t exactly comforting. The 41-year-old forward is still nursing hip and foot injuries, and it looks like he’ll be out longer than anyone hoped. Head coach JJ Redick spoke to reporters before the game and said LeBron needs “a couple more days” to recover. That’s a familiar phrase at this point.
LeBron has missed three straight games now. First, it was his elbow that he hurt against Denver, but he seemed to bounce back from that. Then he showed up on the injury report with foot and hip issues. Redick told everyone not to panic, though. He doesn’t think this turns into a long-term thing. “We want him in the lineup. With the schedule we’ve had six games in eight nights, two back-to-backs, you never know how his body will respond,” Redick said. “I wouldn’t say I expected him to miss time, but it doesn’t surprise me either.”
It’s hard to ignore the fact that LeBron’s the oldest player in the league now. “Father Time” is catching up, even if he just broke the NBA’s all-time field goals made record. Redick still called him “day-to-day.” That could mean he’s back soon, maybe not by Thursday’s game against the Bulls, but the Lakers don’t seem worried he’ll miss weeks.
“He shot before our walkthrough, just needs a couple more days,” Redick said. “Day-to-day sometimes means two days, sometimes five or six. He’s day-to-day.”
But here’s where things get interesting and maybe a little awkward. A conversation is picking up about whether the Lakers are actually better without LeBron on the floor. The numbers are hard to ignore. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have been on fire without him. When those two play together, and LeBron sits, the Lakers are 9–2. Their net rating is an eye-popping +16.9, with a 125.7 offensive rating and just 108.8 on defence.
Add LeBron back in, and the team’s 11-6. Not bad, but the net rating drops to +1.5, offence to 115.3, defence up to 113.9. Even when it’s just Reaves and LeBron, or Doncic and LeBron, the results are average at best.
Redick’s not shying away from those numbers. He talked about the “human element” Basically, it takes time for three big personalities and skill sets to mesh. “There’s a clear pecking order when Luka and AR are out there with low usage guys. That’s just how it works, and it’s been that way with every ‘Big 3’ ever. We’ll figure it out.”
Honestly, this might not be a long-term issue anyway. Word is, LeBron’s probably leaving the Lakers this summer and looking for a new team in free agency.
For now, the Lakers are rolling. They beat Minnesota 120-106. Luka put up a monster triple-double (31 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals), Reaves matched him with 31, Ayton added 14 and 12, and Kennard chipped in 10. Suddenly, L.A. has won six of its last seven and jumped to the No. 4 spot in the West, leapfrogging the Timberwolves.
But the focus is still on getting LeBron healthy and seeing if he, Doncic, and Reaves can find some real rhythm before the playoffs. Until he’s back, the Lakers will keep pushing, chasing home-court advantage, and hoping their oldest star still has something left for one more run.
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