Browns fire coach Hue Jackson
Gregg Williams named interim coach
BEREA, OHIO (AP) >> Hue Jackson’s failed, flawed tenure with the Cleveland Browns is finally over.
The team fired its embattled coach on Monday, ending a run of futility nearly unmatched in NFL history. Jackson, who went 3-36-1 in two-plus seasons, was dismissed on Monday by general manager John Dorsey with the backing of owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam.
The Browns also dismissed offensive coordinator Todd Haley and named defensive coordinator Gregg Williams interim coach. Haley was in his first season on Jackson’s staff after spending the previous six in Pittsburgh.
“We greatly appreciate Hue’s commitment to the Cleveland Browns organization over the last 2½ years,” the Haslams said. “We understand how critical this time period is in the development of our football team, individually and collectively, and believed it was in the organization’s best interest to make the move at this time, in order to maximize our opportunities the rest of this season. We certainly only wish Hue, Michelle, and his family the best moving forward.”
Jackson’s firing came a day after the Browns (2-5-1) lost their 25th straight road game — 20 of them coming with Jackson in charge.
The Browns, who have not made the playoffs since 2002 amid a slew of coaching changes, have lost three straight games after a promising start to this season. They tied Pittsburgh in Week 1, but were beaten 3318 on Sunday by the Steelers.
Jackson is the sixth straight Cleveland coach to be fired following the team’s second game against Pittsburgh. Romeo Crennel, Eric Mangini, Pat Shurmur, Rob Chudzinski and Mike Pettine all met the same demise.
And so, at the start of a pivotal offseason, the Mets’ first pitch is a changeup.
The 44-year-old Van Wagenen is set to swap sides in labor relations. He has represented high-profile players all around the majors, including current Mets stars Jacob deGrom, Yoenis Cespedes and Todd Frazier. He also represents Mets minor leaguer Tim Tebow, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL quarterback.
Van Wagenen has been co-head of CAA Baseball since 2010 and emerged as New York’s top choice for GM from a list of 10-12 initial candidates. He must leave his clients and give up his career as an agent to take the job.
Tampa Bay Rays senior vice president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom was the other finalist. Kaufman said Bloom was informed the Mets decided to hire Van Wagenen.
Doug Melvin also had a second interview last week, meeting with Wilpon and his father, Mets owner Fred Wilpon. But the former Texas and Milwaukee general manager was told days ago he was no longer in the running.
Alderson was hired as general manager in 2010. He helped lead New York to consecutive playoff berths in 2015 and ‘16, including a trip to the 2015 World Series, but the Mets have struggled the past two seasons.
Since he stepped down, baseball decisions have been made by the trio of assistant general manager John Ricco and special assistants Omar Minaya and J.P. Ricciardi, all reporting to the Wilpons.