Woman appointed chief of staff for Browns coach

Callie Brownson has been named chief of staff for new Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, who began his NFL career in a similar job.

Brownson spent last season as a coaching intern with the Buffalo Bills, and is one of the few women in the league, which has been more welcoming to women in recent years. She’s the first person to have this position in Cleveland, where her role will be much like what Stefanski did while working for coach Brad Childress in 2006 with Minnesota.

Stefanski, who was with the Vikings for 13 seasons before coming to the Browns, said the experience was invaluable and paved the way for him to become a head coach eventually.

“It’s very involved in every aspect of a football operation,” Stefanski said. “Callie is uniquely situated where she can go interact with football ops or PR or the locker room or t he equ ipment room. She’s really the liaison to the rest of the building for me. I’m going to lean on her heavily and already have.”

The Browns also officially announced Friday the hiring of former Oakland Raiders coach Bill Callahan as offensive line coach. Stefanski confirmed last week that Callahan was on his staff.

In Buffalo, Brownson was involved in several areas for the Bills.

Brownson played youth football and considered playing in high school before focusing on softball. She went to George Mason and eventually found her way back to the football field, playing eight years in the Women’s Football Alliance as a safety, running back and receiver.

“She’s a go-getter. She’s self-motivated,” Stefanski said. “She’s going to put all of her energy into this gig.”