It’s a good time to be a fan of the Cleveland Browns. They are currently in first place in the AFC North and are in a playoff hunt for the first time in 20 years. Everyone should feel a level of excitement surrounding this team.

Head coach Todd Monken would be the first to tell you that. In fact, he says that there’s no better time to be the head coach of the Browns.

The young talent that Monken refers to does make it very exciting for fans and coaches alike. Players like Harold Fannin, Denzel Boston, KC Concepcion, Mason Graham, Carson Schwesinger and Jared Verse are all 25 years old or younger. That is a strong core on both sides of the ball.

As exciting as that is, I believe that Monken is overlooking one of the biggest things that makes this such a great time for the Browns.

The coaching with this team has given this franchise new life. Even with promising young players, Cleveland has exceeded expectations so far this year. That is a direct reflection of coaching.

Monken is right that this is a great time to be a fan or coach of the Browns. As he said, winning is fun, and building a winner from the ground up is all anyone can really hope for with their team. However, we won’t let him gloss over the fact that Monken is as big a part of that as anyone.