Browns coordinator named Senior Bowl head coach; will take a close look at QBs and other top NFL Draft prospects

It’s a big year for the Browns at the Senior Bowl considering they’ll be heavily considering a quarterback at No. 2, and some of the best will be participating, including Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart and Will Howard from Ohio State.

“It is truly an honor to be a part of the premier college all-star game and I am thrilled for the opportunity to coach this exceptional group of seniors,” Ventrone said. “I watched the Senior Bowl Roster Reveal show on NFL Network this morning and couldn’t believe how many great talents chose to play. My staff and I will have these guys ready to go!”

Kevin Stefanski, who will have a new starting quarterback and likely two new backups in 2025, with Deshaun Watson likely on an injured list for much or all of the season, desperately wants Ventrone to get an up-close and personal look at some of the top prospects in the draft. The Browns have nine picks total, including an additional third-rounder from the Amari Cooper trade with Buffalo.

“Bubba is an incredible coach who has instant credibility with his players because of his successful playing career. As the special teams coordinator, he does an excellent job coaching all players on our roster in the special teams phases. He is a master motivator and gets the best out of every player. He will do a great job leading the American team in this year’s Senior Bowl.”

The game will take place on February 1, 2025 at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama. It will be broadcast live on NFL Network at 2:30 p.m. Additionally, all three days of practice, January 28-30, will be televised on NFL Network and ESPN.

This is the third year of the Senior Bowl’s “Coach Up” format, which gives coordinators and assistant coaches the chance to coach in a senior role. Head coaches and general managers of all non-playoff teams and Wild Card Round participants had the opportunity to nominate assistant coaches, with the positions filled by the General Managers Advisory Committee. At least one coach was selected from 13 teams.

In addition to the head coaches, the following assistants were selected as coordinators for the American and national squads:

American

Offensive coordinator Joel Thomas, running backs coach for the New York Giants

Defensive coordinator Matt Raich, senior assistant DL coach for the Indianapolis Colts

Special Teams Coordinator, San Francisco 49ers Special Teams Quality Control Coach, August Mangin

National

Offensive coordinator Green Bay Packers passing game coordinator Jason Vrable

Defensive Coordinator Cleveland Browns Defensive Line Coach Jacques Cesaire

Perry Carter, special teams coordinator, Tennessee Titans assistant coach

The Reese’s Senior Bowl comes from four consecutive drafts with at least 100 players selected, representing over 40 percent of all last four draft classes. Last year’s game saw a record 110 players drafted, including 10 first-rounders and 45 top-100 picks.

Recent graduates include some of the NFL’s biggest stars, including: QB Justin Herbert (Chargers), WR Cooper Kupp (Rams), WR Brandon Aiyuk (49ers), QB Jalen Hurts (Eagles), OLB Jonathan Greenard (Vikings), WR Terry McLaurin (Commanders), OL Chris Lindstrom (Falcons), QB Jordan Love (Packers), WR Deebo Samuel (49ers), OL Elgton Jenkins (Packers), RB Tony Pollard (Titans), WR Khalil Shakir (Bills), DL Montez Sweat (Bears), OL Landon Dickerson (Eagles), RB Najee Harris (Steelers), WR Nico Collins (Texans), WR Devonta Smith ( Eagles), OL Creed Humphrey (Chiefs), OG Trey Smith (Chiefs), DS Kerby Joseph (Lions), DS Jalen Pitre (Texans), LB Terrel Bernard (Bills), TE Trey McBride (Cardinals), WR Puka Nacua (Rams), RB Chase Brown (Bengals), LB Daiyan Henley (Chargers), WR Rashee Rice (Chiefs), WR Tank Dell (Texans), OLB Byron Young (Rams), DE YaYa Diaby (Buccaneers), DL Keeanu Benton (Steelers), LB Ivan Pace Jr. (Vikings), WR Jayden Reed (Packers), Braden Fiske (Rams), Bo Nix (Broncos), Michael Penix Jr. (Falcons), Quinyon Mitchell (Eagles), Dominick Puni (49ers) and WR Ladd McConkey (Chargers).