SB Nation Cleveland - Cleveland Browns Hire Mark Whipple As Quarterback Coach

Browns Hire Assistants to Coach Defensive Line, Linebackers, And Receivers

2011-02-01T15:01:54Z

In addition to bringing former Miami Hurricanes offensive coordinator Mark Whipple aboard as their quarterbacks coach yesterday, the Cleveland Browns also hired three other assistant coaches.

Bill Davis was hired as the team’s linebackers coach. He spent last season as the defensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals and reportedly interviewed with Cleveland before the hiring of Dick Jauron.

Dwaine Board was named the Browns’ new defensive line coach. He was with the Oakland Raiders last year as their defensive line coach, and before that spent six seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.

Mike Wilson spent the 2009-10 seasons as the wide receivers coach of the Las Vegas Locomotives of the UFL, according to the Plain Dealer. Prior to that, he was tight ends and receivers coach for the Cardinals.

Mark Whipple Set To Join Browns As QB Coach

2011-01-31T14:23:55Z

Well that answers that. Former Miami Hurricanes offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, who was a possible candidate for the OC position, has been hired as the QB coach for the Cleveland Browns, per Adam Schefter:

Former Univ. of Miami OC Mark Whipple has agreed to become Browns QB coach. With Whipple and Pat Shurmer, Browns not likely to hire an OC.less than a minute ago via ÜberTwitterAdam Schefter
AdamSchefter

With the Browns having more and more trouble after Shurmer said that he was calling the plays, this move makes some sense. Although it is a bit perplexing to hire a guy whose QB (Jacory Harris, 14 TD, 15 INT) seemingly regressed this season after being touted as a pre-season Heisman candidate.

To be fair, Miami's offense did look good in spurts. They did average 25 points per game. And Whipple has NFL experience as a QB coach for the Steelers and an offensive assistant for the Eagles. He was also very successful in his tenure at UMass as head coach.

All in all, this looks to be a safe move for a team that was scaring off coordinator candidates after Shurmur said he was taking the reins on offense. Here's hoping Whipple will assist in the progression of QB Colt McCoy and provide valuable input as Pat Shurmur looks to revitalize a Browns offense that was 29th in total offense in 2010.

Browns Name Chris Tabor New Special Teams Coordinator

2011-01-25T21:20:22Z

Well, the wait is over, at least for one more coaching position. According to Media Relations Coordinator Dan Murphy, the Cleveland Browns have made Bears Assistant Special Teams Coach Chris Tabor their new Special Teams Coordinator.

Tabor spent three years with the Chicago Bears and saw the Bears enjoy a lot of success on special teams, especially with regards to the return game. Having Devin Hester never hurts there.

The 39 year old has also coached at Western Michigan University, Utah State University, Culver-Stockton College and Missouri.

Now Browns fans turn their attention back to the vacant Offensive Coordinator position…

Browns Denied Permission To Interview Redskins' Danny Smith

2011-01-24T19:21:39Z

The Cleveland Browns will apparently have to look elsewhere to find their new Special Teams Coach.

The Cleveland Browns’ request to interview special teams coach Danny Smith was denied by the Redskins, according to Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network.

Smith’s contract is up, but it appears that the Redskins expect him to be back with the team if they are not allowing the Browns to talk to the 57-year-old, who has been with the Redskins since 2004.

The Browns have been scrambling to find a new Special Teams coach since Brad Seely bolted to take the same job with the San Francisco 49ers, under new head coach Jim Harbaugh.

PD: Dick Jauron Hiring Expected Soon

2011-01-21T16:47:20Z

Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer tweeted moments ago that a league source has confirmed the Cleveland Browns will soon announce Dick Jauron as their new defensive coordinator. Jauron would replace Rob Ryan who left to take the same position with the Dallas Cowboys.

#Browns are expected to hire Dick Jauron soon as DC, league source told PD.#nflless than a minute ago via Mobile WebMary Kay Cabot
MaryKayCabot

Jauron has plenty of experience, as both a coordinator and head coach. He was the original DC for the Jacksonville Jaguars before being hired as the head coach of the Chicago Bears in 1999. Ironically, it was Jauron that replaced Dave Wannstedt in Chicago, another man the Browns interviewed for the position.

Jauron was 35-45 in five years with the Bears before being fired after the 2003 season. He went on to Detroit to be the defensive coordinator under Steve Mariucci in 2004 and was promoted to interim head coach of the Lions when Mariucci was fired after 11 games in 2005.

After going 1-4 to finish 2005, Jauron was hired by the Buffalo Bills to be their head coach in January 2006. Jauron lasted just over three seasons in Buffalo, going 24-33 before he was fired after nine games in the 2009 season. Jauron spent the 2010 season has the DB coach for Andy Reid and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Ironically, Eagles defensive backs struggled this season, especially in the Red Zone, leading to the firing of Eagles DC Sean McDermott.

Dave Wannstedt Soon To Be Hired By Buffalo Bills

2011-01-21T16:11:27Z

Another prospective coaching candidate for the Cleveland Browns is headed elsewhere. Dave Wannstedt, who interviewed with the Browns earlier this week, is reportedly close to a deal with the Buffalo Bills according to FoxSports and ESPN.

Wannstedt has previously been a defensive coordinator with the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins. He was the head coach of the Chicago Bears and Dolphins before heading to the University of Pittsburgh, where he spent the past five seasons. He was fired by the Panthers in December.

That leaves Billy Davis and Dick Jauron as possible candidates for the coordinator position in Cleveland.

Browns Interviewing Former Cardinals Defensive Coordinator Billy Davis

2011-01-20T20:51:30Z

Along with Dick Jauron and Dave Wannstedt, the Browns are also looking at former Arizona Cardinals DC Billy Davis to fill their defensive coordinator position, per ESPN.

Davis was fired as the defensive coordinator of the Cardinals on Jan. 6, and was previously the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers. He has also worked as a defensive assistant for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1992-94), Carolina Panthers (95-98), Cleveland Browns (99), Green Bay Packers (2000), Atlanta Falcons (01-03) and New York Giants (04).

Despite his extensive resumé, the Cardinals looked absolutely abysmal defensively this season, and Davis has no prior NFL head coaching experience.

Count me in the camp that would still rather have Dick Jauron, or at the very worst, Wannstedt.

Plan C, Anyone? Musgrave Heads To Vikings As OC

2011-01-20T13:33:18Z

Yesterday, most expected Bill Musgrave to be hired by the Cleveland Browns as their offensive coordinator. I guess the former Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks coach didn’t get the memo.

Musgrave was introduced yesterday as the new offensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings. Why would the job in Minnesota be more appealing than that in Cleveland? Simple. With the Vikings, Musgrave will likely be able to call the plays while that wasn’t going to happen in Cleveland.

So now the Browns are back to square one a bit. With Pat Shurmur as head coach it is not as important to have a strong OC, since Shurmur himself will be calling the plays. What the Browns do need is someone to be a mentor and confidant of Colt McCoy – a buffer between the head coach and the quarterback – someone that can work with him on a day-to-day basis.

Stay tuned…