It’s official. The Cleveland Browns have stopped their head coaching search and Hue Jackson has apparently settled for the first contract put in front of him.
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He developed Ravens quarterback, Joe Flacco, into the 2008 Rookie of the Year, spending two seasons as the quarterbacks coach in Baltimore.
(AP Photo/Tony Dejak). Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, left, answers questions during a news conference, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016, in Berea, Ohio. They’re saying ‘Hue, will you help me get to the Cleveland Browns.
After Tom Coughlin resigned as head coach, the New York Giants expressed interest in replacing him with Hue Jackson, but they have now focused their efforts on hiring Bob McAdoo.
Jackson will become the team’s eighth coach since 1999 once the sides have finalized his deal, the person told The Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the hiring.
Wednesday, Hue Jackson walked through that door.
Jackson doesn’t mind the mess.
“This is what I would say to that”.
Jackson was given only one season with the Raiders and his team went 8-8 despite front-office issues that plagued the franchise in 2011, especially after owner Al Davis died that October.
On Jan. 3, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam spoke about the franchise’s quest for a bona fide franchise quarterback and added, “We do have the second pick in the draft”. “There”s something to be said of picking from the Bengals” coaching tree. “I can’t worry about what’s happened before me”.
“I”m not surprised they identified the Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator as a top candidate, but that they were able to prevail in a coaching sweepstakes that included a return to the Bay Area with the San Francisco 49ers and a looming interview with the New York Giants.
That competitive aspect Haslam mentioned was clear as Jackson surveyed the “challenge” he’s ready to tackle.
“Obviously [Browns owners] Jimmy and Dee Haslam for this opportunity, going through the process of meeting [executive vice president of football operations] Sashi Brown and [chief strategy officer] Paul DePodesta”.
“This is our man, ” Haslam told them. The Browns are very familiar with Jackson, as he has been with the Cincinnati Bengals since 2012.
Given that, it’s possible that the Browns’ having the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming National Football League draft might have been a key factor in Jackson’s decision to take the job. “I know what I signed up for”.
“This is a tremendous organization led by some great people and there’s only 32 of these (jobs)”, Jackson said. “He understands the AFC North, he’s been a part of the AFC North and I think he’s going to be a great head coach of the Cleveland Browns”.
Jackson did acknowledge that Manziel came up in his discussions with Haslam. Manziel has been a major distraction during two drama-filled seasons with the Browns.
“I’m being very honest, I have 142 text messages on my phone”, Jackson said.
He needs to do the same with Cleveland’s coaching staff, which is expected to look dramatically different in 2016.
On one hand I have learned that Jackson is far more controlling and demanding than Gase and it’s likely that the Dolphins viewed Jackson as someone who may not work within the teams “team” concept on the executive level.
“I’ve had enough he’s gotta go”, said Mazei. But then again, I think we all know better than that.
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Palmer’s former teammate in Cincinnati- Chad Johnson- was even more effusive in his praise of Jackson.
