Browns Fire Coach Hue Jackson, Name Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams Interim
The Browns are firing head coach Hue Jackson following Sunday’s 33-18 loss to the Steelers, the team announced Monday. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com first reported the news.
Jackson had been Cleveland’s coach since 2016, but has had very little success during that time.
His first year the team went just 1-15, and they followed that up with an 0-16 campaign in 2017. This season the Browns are 2-5-1 through eight games, but have still been a disappointment to many.
Jackson’s decision to start quarterback Tyrod Taylor over No. 1 pick Baker Mayfield was widely criticized, especially after Mayfield took over for an injured Taylor to lead the Browns to their first win in nearly two full calendar years.
Most recently Jackson had been having issues with offensive coordinator Todd Haley concerning the play calls. Haley was also fired from the team on Monday, and he will be replaced by running backs coach Freddie Kitchens.
With Jackson gone, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will take over as the interim head coach, the team announced. Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com first reported the news. Williams has been a defensive coordinator for the Titans, Redskins, Jaguars, Saints and Rams before coming to Cleveland. He was also the Bills head coach from 2001-2003, but went just 17-31 in Buffalo.
With Williams in the head coach role, Schefter reported that some around the league are expecting his son Blake Williams to be named Cleveland’s new defensive coordinator. However, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said Monday that Gregg Williams will remain the team’s defensive coordinator.
The Browns next game is Sunday when the host the Kansas City Chiefs
