The Cleveland Browns are interviewing former Steelers running back Duce Staley for their open running back coach position, according to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports. Staley was in Cleveland on Wednesday for the interview after the Browns fired long-tenured running back Stump Mitchell from his job, which he held since Kevin Stefanski became the team’s head coach in 2020.
The Carolina Panthers fired Staley in November when the team decided to overhaul their coaching staff following the dismissal of head coach Frank Reich.
Staley has a high pedigree and is well-thought-of throughout the league. Before this season, he had the same job title with the Detroit Lions on Dan Campbell’s staff, helping the young team come together and hit their stride. Staley would head to Carolina with Reich for a more lucrative opportunity, but it did not work out. Previously, he worked as a coach with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2010 to 2020, ascending from special teams quality control to running backs coach and assistant head coach. He has held those titles everywhere he has gone and should land a job at a new place despite the dysfunction in Carolina.
Staley spent the final three seasons of his career in Pittsburgh as a player, playing from 2004-06 and winning Super Bowl XL after the 2005 season. Philadelphia drafted him out of South Carolina, and spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Eagles. The Steelers saw Staley play at a high level even in those final three seasons, and if they are looking to expand their coaching staff, he could be an exciting person to add to the fold.
Selected in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Eagles, Staley played the first seven years of his career in Philadelphia, where is 4,807 rushing yards are the fifth-most in franchise history. As a coach, Staley has done well for himself but now needs to map out the next steps after Panthers owner David Tepper cleaned house.