The Cleveland Browns hired Mike Bloomgren as their new offensive line coach. Bloomgren replaces Andy Dickerson. Dickerson replaced longtime offensive line coach Bill Callahan who joined his son with the Tennessee Titans. The Browns have seen a lot of turnover on the offensive staff over the past two seasons. Hopefully, Bloomgren will provide stability for the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns needed to reshuffle their offensive staff after a disappointing season. The Browns brought in an influx of ideas last season but struggled to implement them into their offensive philosophy. The Browns needed to experiment on offense to see if it could benefit quarterback Deshaun Watson. Watson was a complete failure, and he’s unlikely to play next season following him re-rupturing his Achilles tendon.
The injury allows the Browns to get back to their basics. They must return to their traditional, under-center approach. Bloomgren will help the team reestablish its roots. The former college coach can help them branch out to run-pass-options.
Bloomgren has a long coaching history and ties to coaches in the organization. He and linebackers coach Jason Tarver served at Stanford for one season. Bloomgren has had an interesting journey to the Browns. Here are five facts about Bloomgren.
College Start
Bloomgren started his coaching career as a student assistant in the linebacker room at Florida State University. Bloomgren moved on to Alabama as a graduate assistant for the Tide. He spent two seasons there before being hired as the special teams coach, offensive coordinator, and offensive line coach at Catawba College. He would serve in the same roles at Delta State before leaving for the NFL.
Works with Bill Callahan at the New York Jets
Bloomgren joined the NFL in 2007 when he joined the New York Jets as an offensive quality control coach for Bill Callahan. He would develop a lifelong relationship with the offensive line coach. Bloomgren was a sponge, learning from the legendary coach as much as he could. Bloomgren was promoted twice in his last two years with the Jets. He ended up as an assistant offensive coordinator. Bloomgren left for Stanford after a successful 2010 season with the Jets.
Bloomgren finds success at Stanford
Bloomgren joined David Shaw’s first staff at Stanford in 2011 as the offensive line and running game coordinator. Current Browns’ linebacker coach Jason Tarver served as the co-defensive coordinator that season.
The 2011 Stanford Cardinals saw Andrew Luck be the Heisman runner-up after he led them to an 11-win season.
Bloomgren was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2013. In 2015, he helped Christian McCaffrey run for over 2,000 yards. Bloomgren had massive success with two of Stanford’s greatest players. Bloomgren left for Rice in 2018.
Coached at Rice
Bloomgren struggled as the head coach of the Rice Owls. He went 11-31 in his first four seasons with the team. Bloomgren had more success in 2022, the team won five games and made a bowl game. In 2023, the team moved to the American Athletic Conference finishing 6-7, making another bowl game.
Bloomgren didn’t manage a lot of team success at Rice. He finished with a 24-52 record over seven seasons. Bloomgren helped many players achieve individual success. Bloomgren sent nine players to the NFL, two players were drafted including Luke McCaffrey, a rookie for the Washington Commanders. Bloomgren’s experience across the collegiate level should help Kevin Stefanski.
Clinics and Philosophy
Mike Bloomgren has stayed active on the coaching circuit. Bloomgren gave a lot of lessons on his schemes, techniques, and philosophies. Bloomgren is on record recommending the Coaches of Offensive Linemen clinic to a reporter.
Bloomgren has spoken much about the power run game and being effective in short-yardage situations. Bloomgren’s emphasis on both topics should help the Browns. The Browns pivoted away from their power run game this season, confounding some players. The team also struggled to execute in short-yardage situations. The Browns converted only 24 of their 44 fourth-down attempts. The Browns must get back to their roots in 2025. Bloomgren should help the team a lot this upcoming season.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: 5 fun facts about Browns’ new OL coach Mike Bloomgren
