The Cleveland Browns coaching search is mercifully over. After seeing numerous candidates take other “lesser” jobs, or refuse to leave their current team to take the job, the Browns finally have their man. The team announced today that they have reached an agreement with current Buffalo Bills defensive Co-Ordinator Mike Pettine, to take over on the Browns sideline. Pettine takes over for Rob Chudzinski who was let go after just 11 months on the job.
The hiring of Pettine ends an exhaustive, and sometimes comical search. After interviewing with the team, Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase and Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, both pulled themselves out of the process and said they do not want to be candidates for the job, preferring to stay in a co-ordinator role with their current teams. Former Broncos head coach and current Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has also pulled out of the process. Packers quarterbacks coach Ben McAdoo accepted the job of New York Giants offensive coordinator when he was still scheduled to be interviewed for the Browns job, and Lane Kiffin took the job of University of Alabama Offensive Coordinator before he could be interviewed.
“We wanted to be thorough right from the start and we interviewed as many people as we could,” Browns CEO Joe Banner said. “From that group, we hired the best individual for this job. Our players and fans are going to really enjoy Mike Pettine and his leadership style. We’re excited to have him out in front of our team, and we look forward to working closely with him.”
Perhaps it was the lack of job security that scared all of the other candidates off, as Pettine becomes the Browns eighth head coach since the team was re-introduced to the NFL for the 1999 season.
In addition to being the Bills defensive coordinator for the 2013 season, Pettine previously held the same position with the New York Jets. This will be his first NFL head coaching job.
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