Cleveland confirmed the hiring of Jackson – who had served as the Cincinnati Bengals offensive co-ordinator for the last two seasons – on Wednesday, finalising the deal before he could interview with the New York Giants for their vacant head coach position.
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Jackson has one season of head coaching experience, with the Oakland Raiders in 2011, and almost led them to their only playoff berth since their Super Bowl appearance following the 2002 season.
Jimmy Haslam didn’t have to settle for a head coach this time, as the Cleveland Browns’ owner got the man he wanted for the job.
Jackson was scheduled to fly to New York on Wednesday for an interview with the New York Giants. “My thing is to get us to the game ready to play, motivated, fired up, enthusiastic and have an opportunity to win, and that’s what I’m interested in”. His biggest question to those interviewing him – Do we have the chance to win? – was answered in convincing enough of fashion to make his answer a no-brainer when the offer was presented. And if he succeeds, Haslam will be celebrated for making the hire, while Jackson is revered not just in Browns history, but in National Football League history for returning a once-proud franchise to prominence. Jackson’s coaching skills turned both receivers into the Bengals’ first 1,000-yard single-season receiving tandem.
Sitting at the dais with team owner Jimmy Haslam, chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta and vice president of football operations Sashi Brown, Jackson talked about how excited he was to be a part of the organization. Some reports indicated that the 49ers had at one point identified Jackson as their first choice.
It remains to be seen what plans Jackson might have for Johnny Manziel, the troubled QB whose two seasons in Cleveland have been filled with controversy and more chaos than the Browns needed.
Jackson also mentioned that off-the-field integrity, accountability, passion and work ethic were among the most important attributes he looks for in his players. I understood where they had been and where they’re trying to go.
There will be no Vegas Vacation under Hue Jackson.
Jackson replaces Pettine, fired after going 10-22. “We got the right guy for the Cleveland Browns”.
Even though Jackson is the sixth Browns head coach over the last eight years, he’s looking forward to the challenge of taking over a team that finished 3-13 last season and hasn’t produced a winning campaign since 2007. “I have to give everyone on this team an opportunity to prove who they are”, said Jackson, per Grove. “We had a couple of great years here when he was here early on”.
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The Browns may have snatched Jackson for his ability to turn around the offense. “Eventually everybody’s going to be doing what we’re doing”. But Jackson called the decision to head north up I-71 a “no-brainer” and said he was sold on the organization’s potential.
