Report: Browns zeroing in on a new coordinator

Browns new head coach Kevin Stefanski is reaching into his past to form his coaching staff.

Browns new head coach Kevin Stefanski is reaching into his past to form his coaching staff.

Stefanski plans to name 49ers defensive backs coach/run-game coordinator Joe Woods as Browns defensive coordinator soon after San Francisco’s playoff run ends provided Woods agrees to contract terms, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Woods jumped to the front of the line as a defensive coordinator candidate as soon as Stefanski was named Browns head coach on Jan. 13. Woods and Stefanski both joined the Vikings coaching staff under Brad Childress in 2006 — Woods as defensive backs coach and Stefanski as assistant to the head coach. Stefanski stayed in Minnesota through 2019 and spent his last season with the Vikings as offensive coordinator.

Woods stayed with the Vikings as defensive backs coach through 2013 and then moved to the Raiders as defensive backs coach in 2014. He went to Denver as the Broncos’ defensive backs coach for two years and then was elevated to Broncos defensive coordinator in 2017. He held that job for two seasons.

The Broncos ranked third in overall defense and second in third-down defense but tied for 22nd in points allowed in 2017. Those incongruous numbers can be explained by noting the Broncos turned the ball over 34 times on 22 interceptions and 12 lost fumbles, often allowing opponents to play on a short field.

Conversely, the Broncos ranked 22nd defensively in 2018, Woods’ second year as defensive coordinator in Denver, but 13th in points allowed.

“We’re going to take our time and do it the right way,” Stefanski said at his introductory news conference when asked about hiring assistant coaches. “I’ve been with one organization, but you get to know a lot of people and you grow as a coach and you understand meeting different people.

“There is no shortage of candidates, and also, we have got to meet with the current staff. Sit down with everybody and spend some time with them. We are definitely going to take our time and be diligent about it.”

Woods would be replacing Steve Wilks. Wilks was fired after one season as head coach of the Cardinals when his team went 3-13 in 2018 and now after one season as Browns defensive coordinator.

Wilks had a chance to redeem himself as defensive coordinator of the Browns in 2019, but the Browns game after game failed to force opponents to punt when a stop was needed most.

The Browns gave up more touchdowns (19 rushing, 25 passing) under Wilks in 2019 than they did under Gregg Williams (20 rushing, 21 passing) in 2018.

Woods