The Cleveland Browns coaching search was a bit like throwing things against the wall and seeing what stuck, so when Ian Rapoport reported that Wisconsin head coach Gary Andersen had a "secret interview" it was to be taken with a grain of salt.
#Browns tried it all during coaching search. Source says they secretly interviewed #Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen, who got a raise on 1/25
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 11, 2014
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However, Andersen and athletic director Barry Alvarez came out a few hours later and awknolwedged that initial contact did occur.
“Officials from the Cleveland Browns contacted me to talk about their head coaching vacancy," said Andersen. "After our initial conversation, I decided not to pursue the position. I am committed to the University of Wisconsin and the student-athletes in our program. I love the city of Madison and am grateful for all the support from Badgers fans around the state and around the country. I look forward to the start of spring football in a couple weeks and turning the focus to preparing for 2014.”
Rapoport may have had the contact part correct, but to say it was an actual interview is a bit of a leap. The good news is that unlike his predecessor, Andersen was also in constant contact with Alvarez abou tthe situation.
“I’m appreciative that Gary handled all of this the right way," Alvarez said. "He alerted me immediately that he had been contacted by the Browns and affirmed his commitment to the University of Wisconsin. When you have talented coaches on your roster, there will always be people who want to talk to them. I think that Gary is one of the top coaches in the country and am glad that he is leading our team.”
While part of that statement can be taken as hyperbole about how good your head caoch is, the truth is, its a good sign that NFL teams are sniffing around your head coach. It generally means he's doing something right.
However, let's also be honest, this was far more of a general phone conversation than a serious interview for another position after one year at UW. If it had been the latter, there would be reason to be worried.
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