The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Todd Haley to install his own offense, call plays
The Browns on Jan. 24 finally announced hiring Haley as offensive coordinator.
Hue Jackson, with one victory in his first two seasons as head coach, is turning over not only redesigning the offense but also calling plays to Todd Haley.
The Browns on Jan. 24 finally announced hiring Haley as offensive coordinator, Amos Jones as special teams coordinator and Freddie Kitchens as running backs coach/associate head coach.
“As I reflected after the season and contemplated adding an offensive coordinator to the staff, my first thought was obviously improvement,” Jackson said in a statement. “If I was going to turn over the play calling duties to someone else, it had to be to someone that was experienced and had a long history of success in this league.
“We were going to be patient about it because there is always a lot of movement in the early part of the offseason. When Todd became available, I jumped at the opportunity to meet with him. Once we sat down and talked, it became quickly evident that Todd would be a great fit.”
Haley was offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2012 to 2017. His contract was not renewed. He was head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs from 2009 through 13 games of 2011 and offensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals for two years before his time in Kansas City.
“This is a great opportunity,” Haley said in a statement. “The Browns have a great history, great fans and deserve to have some fun and experience some winning. I want to help be part of that process. There is obviously a lot of work to do in order to get there, but I’ve always been excited about facing a challenge.
“Hue and I share a lot of similar beliefs on how to be successful on offense. We have to score points, protect the ball, protect the quarterback and develop players. It’s not too complicated, but at the same time, it is a great challenge. We are really looking forward to getting to work on it.”
Haley will not just be picking up Jackson’s playbook, designing game plans from it and then using that to call plays on Sundays. Minus quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wide receiver Antonio Brown, the offense the Browns use could look similar to what the Steelers used for six years. Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley hreets players as they come from the field during the AFC playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Pittsburgh. Haley will redesign the Browns offense as the new offensive coordinator and call plays.
“We’re going to be installing quickly.” the opportunity to work with a lot of new concepts Kitchens replaces Kirby Hue, John (general manager and elements to our offense,” Wilson, who was fired at John Dorsey) and the whole Jackson said. “It’s important the end of 2017. He spent the organization, while we work to have coaches on your staff last 11 seasons with the Cardinals, together to achieve the desired that will know and understand which means he was success.” the new system. Freddie there when Haley was offensive Jones replaces Chris Tabor, has a history with Todd coordinator with Arizona. who coached the Browns’ and that will make the process At that time, Kitchens was special teams from 2011 to of installing the new elements coaching the Cardinals tight 2017. of the offense much ends (2007-12). He coached “I’m really excited about more efficient. the quarterbacks from 2013 to joining the Browns,” Jones
“Obviously, we have a lot of 2016 and the running backs said. “I got to know Hue from work to do this offseason. I’m in 2017. coaching against him in the excited about the additions “I am so excited to be joining AFC North and have always we’ve made to our coaching an historic franchise such admired his passion and staff, and I’m especially as the Browns that has demonstrated knowledge of football. excited to work with Todd a willingness and “I miss coaching in the AFC to put together a productive desire to compete for championships,” North, so getting back to this Cleveland Browns offensive Kitchens said in a division is going to be very exciting system that will get us winning statement. “I look forward to for me.”