The desire to become a head coach in the National Football League was so strong for Hue Jackson that he was willing to sign with the Cleveland Browns, who aren’t exactly a desired coaching gig.
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CLEVELAND – Hue Jackson has experience as a head coach, knows the AFC North and has fixed quarterbacks.
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”. “I know there’s a rabid fan base that is excited, Dawg Pound, let me give you a first pump because I’m excited and I want to jump over in that pound when I get the opportunity”, Jackson said during his introduction as head coach.
It was an odd omission from Brown, especially since he and Scheiner have a history that dates back to working at the same D.C. law firm more than a decade ago.
Picked over other quality candidates because of his background in the National Football League and openness to embracing Cleveland’s restructured, forward-thinking front office, Jackson was hired as the Browns’ eighth coach since 1999 on Wednesday. It’s water cooler talk at best but in three years if the Browns are relevant and Miami isn’t, you can bet this will be brought up. The Browns have been stuck in a cycle of losing since their expansion rebirth.
Jackson had reportedly been the “clear front-runner” for the head coaching job with the San Francisco 49ers and had an interview scheduled Wednesday with the Giants. A lot of big-time writers quipped nobody wanted the Browns’ job because of Haslam’s itchy trigger finger.
He needs to do the same with Cleveland’s coaching staff, which is expected to look dramatically different in 2016.
Owner Dee Haslam hugged him immediately before Jackson stepped into the circle.
I can understand the desire for Hue Jackson to get out of Cincinnati as quickly as possible. He is smart. He’s tough. He’s confident. He is competitive. This would be McAdoo’s first head-coaching job. He has a great offensive mind.
When he arrived at the team’s facility, Jackson was greeted in the lobby by team employees, who applauded his entrance. “We had a couple of great years here when he was here early on. Eventually everybody’s going to be doing what we’re doing”.
“He”s familiar with the AFC North, having spent nine of his 15 years in the division with the Bengals and Ravens. “That’s what it’s all about”. McKenzie was hired by the Raiders on January 6, 2011 and in his first move as general manager, McKenzie fired Jackson four days later.
The Browns are his second shot.
That season changed the trajectory for Jackson. Obviously Jimmy and Dee Haslam for this opportunity, going through the process of meeting [team executives] Sashi Brown and Paul DePodesta.
The men charged with acquiring the talent to turn the Browns around must be assured that Jackson is willing to embrace analytics as a way to win in the NFL. “It’s one thing to be the minority owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers”. I try to be innovative and cutting edge on offense. “What we’ve built and the way we do things you would hope we are going to do everything we can to continue that no matter who is here”.
Jackson must have really liked what he saw on Cleveland’s roster to pick the Browns.
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Jackson, 50, will certainly have an uphill battle as he takes over a team that is regarded as one of the worst in the NFL. I know that this about wins and losses. 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.
