Cleveland Browns Coaching Search, 2011: 5 Names We Can Cross Off The List

It has been a little less than a week since Cleveland Browns team president Mike Holmgren fired head coach Eric Mangini.

And, while that news wasn't necessarily surprising, speculation has run rampant as to who will be Mangini's successor.

With that in mind, here are the names of five people who will most likely not be wearing a headset on the Cleveland sideline on Sunday next fall:

Mike Singletary

Harry How/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Head coach Mike Singletary of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the field during their game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Singletary wasn't thrown into the best situation in San Francisco. However, expectations entering the season were high that Singletary could lead the 49ers, who ostensibly had more talent than the Browns did this season, to an NFC West title at the very least in what turned out to be one of the weakest divisions in the NFL.  That Singletary was not able to lead the 49ers to the NFC West crown might have been his ultimate undoing.

On the plus side for Singletary is the fact that the 49ers were 5-3 at home last season, and, in addition to being 4-2 in their division, they also boasted the sixth best run defense in the league.

The biggest reason that Singletary won't be in orange and brown next season is that, despite having more talent than Cleveland, he was only able to lead the 49ers to one more victory than the Browns.

Bill Cowher

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CINCINNATI - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Bill Cowher of the Pittsburgh Steelers watches as his team plays the Cincinnati Bengals on December 31, 2006 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Steelers defeated the Bengals 23-17. (Photo by Matthew Stock

Browns fans have been clamoring for Bill Cowher to come to Cleveland to coach for years.  Heck, Cowher was even a defensive lineman for the Browns back in the day, so it's in his blood, right?

Well, forget it Browns fans, it just ain't gonna happen.  For starters, Cleveland is kind of far from his home in Charlotte, North Carolina.  And it's not as if the Browns haven't asked before.  As a matter of fact, the Browns have tried to interview Cowher twice, and twice Cowher has politely removed himself from consideration.  When will Cleveland get the hint?

Jeff Fisher

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INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 02: Jeff Fisher the Head Coach of the Tennessee Titans watches play during NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

One potential candidate being thrown out there in recent weeks has been Jeff Fisher, current head coach of the Tennessee Titans.

Fisher had reportedly gone public that if Vince Young was in a Titans uniform next season, he would not be the coach.  A few days ago Titans owner Bud Adams announced that they were cutting Vince Young.

Sorry Browns fans, but unless he's really had enough of Nashville, I wouldn't expect to see Jeff Fisher in orange and brown either

Dave Wannstedt

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PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 23: Head coach Dave Wannstedt of the Pittsburgh Panthers watches his team play against the Miami Hurricanes on September 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

There have been no rumors currently circulating linking former Miami Dolphins and Pitt Panthers coach Dave Wannstedt to the Browns job, so I will squash them before they even start.  I have no evidence to support my claim, only a hunch.

Even so, Wannstedt will not be in Cleveland next season. Mark my words.

Jim Harbaugh

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 07: Jim Harbaugh speaks at a press conference where he was introduced as the new San Francisco 49ers head coach at the Palace Hotel on January 7, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

You were expecting Jon Gruden here, perhaps?  Too bad.  As everyone already knows, Harbaugh declined to interview for the Browns position earlier last week, then took the 49ers job before this weekend.

Right now there a probably more than a few Browns fans wishing Cleveland was only a couple hours outside of Palo Alto.