Wednesday, the Cleveland Browns filled one of their assistant coaching vacancies currently open on the coaching staff, naming Mike Bloomgren the team’s offensive line coach. He replaces Andy Dickerson, who was let go by the team this past Sunday.

Bloomgren has an interesting coaching history, having coached both in the NFL and college. Most recently, he was the head coach of Rice University in Houston, Texas. He had served at that post since 2018,but was let go in October after a 2-6 start for the Owls.

Before taking over the helm of the Owls, Bloomgren coached at Stanford from 2011 to 2017 when the team was coached by David Shaw. There, Bloomgren was in charge of the offensive line. In 2013, he became also added offensive coordinator to his roles. In his final four years with the Cardinal, he was also the assistant head coach.

Bloomgren’s last stint in the NFL was with the New York Jets from 2007 to 2010. That was his first and only stint in the NFL before joining the Browns. He was a quality control coach before he became an offensive assistant and then an assistant offensive coordinator. In his time with the Jets, Bill Callahan was the team’s assistant head coach and offensive line coach. Bloomgren was in his mid 30’s a the time before joining Stanford.

Bloomgren is a graduate of Florida State. He served as a graduate assistant at Alabama from 1999 to 2001.

This is only the latest hire the Browns have made from the collegiate ranks. Last year, the team hired Tommy Rees and Nick Charlton last year from Alabama and Connecticut respectively. Both served as offensive coordinators. Rees is currently the tight ends coach and passing game specialist for the Browns. Charlton is the run game coordinator.

Two years ago, the Browns hired Ephraim Banda to be their safeties coach. He had coached at the University of Miami and Utah State, serving as defensive coordinator in addition to coaching safeties at both schools.

Bloomgren would be another assistant on the Browns with head coaching experience, joining Jim Schwartz. Bill Callahan had been a head coach both in the NFL and in college before joining the Browns. He coached the now Las Vegas Raiders and at Nebraska.

The Browns are revamping the team’s running game for the 2025 season. They were one of the worst teams in the league. After the season, players lobbied for a return to wide zone concepts to better fit their skill sets. Bloomgren would be familiar with this style offense, dating back to his time with Callahan.

The team still needs to hire an offensive coordinator to replace the recently departed Ken Dorsey. Rees is scheduled to interview for the job.