Belichick would have been an excellent hire for a team that would have needed a complete reboot or one that was completely lacking an identity.
The Browns circa 1990 were not that. While they were indeed aging? They had somewhat of an identity and could have been pushed in the right direction with a coach more in line with the Schottenheimer tree (read: Bill Cowher).
Cowher was on our staff at the time, but Belichick was considered far and away the best option that year, much like Hue 3 years ago LOL.
The hilarious thing about Schottenheimer being replaced by Bud Carson was that Modell said Carson wouldn't allow a team to drive down the field for a tying touchdown in a playoff game like Schottenheimer's 3-man rush against Elway on 3rd and 18. Modell was so clueless that he didn't realize Bernie drove the team down the field TWICE for ten points to send the game to double OT the week before against the JETS and their defensive coordinator -- Bud Carson.
The 80's team was primarily built from the '78 draft, USFL refugees and conspiring with Bernie to screw Minnesota with the supplemental draft ploy (because Bernie got enough credits to graduate in three years). Our drafts during the 70s 80s and 90s were mostly shit (mad dog in a meat market with the fifth pick and other gems). Eventually that caught up with us.