Todd Monken, a 1989 Knox College graduate and Prairie Fire football standout, was named head coach of the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday.
Monken, who was the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens this past season, becomes the 19th head coach in Browns history.
A 1998 inductee into the Knox-Lombard Athletics Hall of Fame, he starred in both football and baseball at Knox. He led the nation in pass attempts, completions and completion percentage in 1988 and was a Pizza Hut All-American and Midwest Conference All-Conference quarterback. Monken holds five Knox football records and lettered twice in baseball.
According to a news release from Knox, he remains connected to the Prairie Fire football program, regularly returning to participate in and speak at events.
“Todd’s journey reflects what Knox has always been about, developing people with confidence and preparing them to lead at the highest levels,” Knox Director of Athletics Justin Newell said. “We are proud of his accomplishments and equally excited about what his story represents for our current and future Prairie Fire.”
After graduating from Knox with a bachelor’s degree in economics, Monken earned a master’s from Grand Valley State University. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant under Lou Holtz at Notre Dame.
“Todd has been one of the most celebrated football leaders at the collegiate and professional level, so this announcement is fitting and well-deserved,” Knox College President C. Andrew McGadney said. “The entire Prairie Fire Nation will cheer and support the new coach of the Cleveland Browns. Please join me in congratulating Coach Monken.”
Monken has 37 seasons of coaching experience, including 11 in the NFL. He spent seven seasons as an NFL offensive coordinator, including one with the Browns in 2019, and four as a wide receivers coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
He coached 26 years at the collegiate level, serving as head coach at Southern Miss from 2013-15 and offensive coordinator at Georgia from 2020-22, where he helped lead back-to-back national championship seasons in 2021 and 2022.
Monken also was offensive coordinator at Tampa Bay, Oklahoma State, Eastern Michigan and Baltimore.
“We are very excited to name Todd Monken the next head coach of the Cleveland Browns,” Browns Managing and Principal Partners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a statement. “Todd is highly intelligent, and his experienced, innovative offensive mindset has been at the forefront of constructing productive and successful offenses at the NFL and collegiate level over the last 20 years. He is an outstanding leader and has a clear vision to lead our team as a strong communicator who values trust with his players but also accountability and preparation. We welcome Todd, Terri, and the rest of the Monken family back to the Browns and look forward to him establishing the winning culture that will lead our team to the success our fans so deserve.”