Monken Misses Coaches' Photo at Annual Meeting

New Cleveland Browns head coach's haircut appointment leads to a comedic blunder

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:34pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting the annual NFL head coaches group photo broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, conceptually representing the missed photo opportunity.A fractured, cubist interpretation of the missed NFL head coaches group photo captures the unexpected humor and human side of professional sports.Los Angeles Today

In a peculiar incident at the Annual League Meeting in Phoenix, newly appointed Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken missed the traditional group photo of NFL head coaches due to a scheduling conflict with a haircut appointment. Monken expressed disappointment at missing the symbolic rite of passage, but found solace in the fact that Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay was also absent from the frame.

Why it matters

The missed photo op highlights the human side of sports icons, reminding us that even seasoned professionals can fall victim to the whims of timing and circumstance. While a minor incident, it offers a lighthearted glimpse into the lives of these coaches and the camaraderie that can arise from shared experiences.

The details

Monken, who was eager to join the exclusive club of NFL head coaches, had scheduled a haircut appointment to ensure he looked his best for the group photo. However, the timing of the appointment conflicted with the scheduled photo shoot, leading to his absence from the frame. Monken candidly expressed his disappointment, stating that he wouldn't have gotten a haircut if it wasn't important.

  • The Annual League Meeting took place in Phoenix.
  • Monken's first offseason program with the Cleveland Browns is set to begin on April 7th.

The players

Todd Monken

The newly appointed head coach of the Cleveland Browns, who has been in the NFL coaching scene since 2007.

Sean McVay

The head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, who was also absent from the group photo.

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What they’re saying

“I wouldn't have gotten a haircut if it wasn't important.”

— Todd Monken, Head Coach, Cleveland Browns

What’s next

As Monken prepares for his first offseason program with the Cleveland Browns, starting on April 7th, it remains to be seen whether this missed photo opportunity will become a running joke among the coaching staff or a forgotten anecdote.

The takeaway

This story offers a lighthearted reminder that even in the high-stakes world of professional sports, there's room for laughter and a bit of technological wizardry. Monken's optimism and humor in the face of this comedic blunder showcase the human side of these sports icons, reminding us that behind the playbooks and press conferences are individuals with their own quirks and experiences.