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Hue Jackson has the Browns thinking about winning big-time

Joke if you want, but the new coach in Cleveland isn’t doing this for you`

By Jason Reid @JReidESPN

Whenever Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson gets “the look,” which he does often, he knows exactly what you’re thinking: that his new gig could be a career-killer. And after a long day in training camp recently, Jackson tackled the notion that he’s in a no-win situation. “Look, I get it. A lot of people want to talk about what went on in the past, the [team’s] record and things like that, but that stuff doesn’t matter to me,” he said. “I’m interested in right now. We get to dictate what we’re going to be. And my mentality is always to win.”

One of only five African-American head coaches in the NFL, the 50-year-old Jackson is determined to rebuild the long-struggling Browns, a task whose difficulty ranks somewhere along the lines of renovating Pompeii. Lacking stability from the front office to the field for years, the Browns have entrusted a detail-oriented leader with their latest reboot. As if he didn’t have enough to do, Jackson is also attempting to both open more doors for black assistant coaches and resuscitate Robert Griffin III’s career. Talk about a full agenda.

To be sure, Jackson – who quickly expended some capital by leading the Browns’ charge to sign Griffin following the former star quarterback’s stunning fall in Washington – has shouldered a lot, but he welcomes it all. In his second opportunity as a head coach, he also wants to prove he deserved better in his first one.

“I always tell our players to be very mindful and careful about what we let go into our ears and where we choose to focus our energy,” Jackson said. “We need to keeping looking ahead, not backward.”

For the Browns, there’s no reason to check the rearview mirror.

The Browns have missed the playoffs the past 13 seasons. Hired in January, Jackson becomes the team’s eighth head coach since 2003. And with three major front-office makeovers since 2013, the franchise has been in what could best be described as a perpetual rebuild.

To break the depressing cycle, Jackson must change the Browns’ culture, which starts with “erasing all the ‘tape’ and starting over,” Jackson said. “Some of our players come from tremendous [college] programs and backgrounds. Some of them are used to winning. But some of them may not have won as much and don’t have those experiences here [in the NFL].

“What we have to do is pull together all of our collective experiences, the best things we all do, to focus on one thing: winning. It’s about creating an environment where everyone understands where we want to go, and everyone works to get the most out of their ability. I know it can happen because I’ve seen it happen before.”

In April 2010, quarterback Jason Campbell was at one of the lowest points of his career. After four disappointing seasons with the Washington Redskins, the former first-round draft pick was traded to the Oakland Raiders. At the time, a change like that was akin to moving from Siberia to Chernobyl.

The Raiders hadn’t reached the playoffs in eight seasons. Moreover, the organization had become a laughingstock late in the life of iconic owner Al Davis, who died in 2011. Shortly after arriving in Oakland, California, Campbell had no idea what to expect in his first meeting with the Raiders’ new offensive play-caller, Jackson. To his excitement, however, Campbell quickly learned he would be working with a top-notch football man.

“He knows the Xs and Os of the game, he’s really good with that, but what’s great about Hue is he practices to win,” Campbell said. “With some coaches, you know you don’t have a chance [to win] because you’re not looking at the right things in practice, not bringing the right energy. With Hue, you know you’ve done everything all week in practice to give yourself the best chance. That makes a big difference.”

In his first year with Jackson, Campbell had one of the best seasons of his career and the Raiders made strides: They finished 8-8 – their first non-losing record since the 2002 season. Promoted to head coach after the season, Jackson led the Raiders to a 4-2 start in 2011. Finally, there was some buzz around the Raiders again. Jackson created it.

“Guys in Oakland didn’t believe they could win because they hadn’t won in so long. Hue made them understand everything had to change,” Campbell said. “He would get in guys’ faces to try to motivate them. He definitely wanted to see where your heart was as far as playing the game. And he definitely got guys to give more than they did before. He got results.”

But as is often the case in professional sports’ most dangerous league, the Raiders were derailed that season by Campbell’s collarbone injury. Oakland again finished 8-8, the team missed the playoffs and Jackson was fired amid regime change in upper management. Under the circumstances, Jackson deserved more than one season in charge.

Think about it: With a roster widely considered to be among the worst in the league, a rookie head coach finished with a .500 record despite losing the team’s starting passer. Not surprisingly, African-American players and coaches were angered by Jackson’s firing.

“As far as being a black man in the game, yeah, a lot of us were upset about that,” Campbell said. “You look at the job Hue did … that doesn’t get you at least another year?

“But the thing about Hue is, he’s not going to give up. He won’t get down. He knew he did a good job, so he’ll always keep coaching and keep working his way back up again.”

A few weeks ago, Brian Stewart made the trip from Lincoln, Nebraska, to Berea, Ohio, to visit with an old friend. Stewart, the secondary coach at the University of Nebraska, and Jackson played youth football together in Los Angeles. During their long coaching careers, Jackson and Stewart have grown close.

Stewart admires how Jackson rebounded after leaving Oakland. As the Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive coordinator last season, Jackson played a big part in quarterback Andy Dalton’s continued development. Stewart had no doubts that Jackson would put himself in position to be an NFL head coach again because “he’s very detailed in everything he does,” said Stewart, the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator in 2007 and ’08.

“Hue has coached for a long time. He’s been on both sides of the ball. He knows what he wants it to look like everywhere. He believes in his preparation and himself.

“And to go from being fired, when you know you did a good job, and still keeping the same intensity and coaching vigor in a smaller job, says a lot about your character. He knows who he is, he believes in what he does and he gets results. You can’t deny that.”

That’s a fact, Campbell said. Dalton’s backup with the Bengals in 2014, Campbell learned a lot about how to manage people by watching Jackson work.

“A lot of times, you have coaches who won’t hold some of the top guys accountable. They don’t make them put in the same work [in practice] like everyone else,” Campbell said. “But Hue always knew the right thing to say and do with everyone.

“Guys like Andy Dalton and [star wide receiver] A.J. Green … Hue never let them get comfortable. He always pushed them to help them get the most out of their ability. If you know Hue, you know he believes in the right way in doing things. And Hue sticks to his beliefs no matter what.”

Here’s what you have to understand about the new-look Browns: They have the blackest football operation in the NFL. Besides Jackson, the Browns have African-Americans occupying the general manager position and both offensive and defensive coordinator jobs. No head coach is more woke than Jackson.

In the NFL these days, the path to becoming a head coach starts on offense, as my colleague Mike Sando explained masterfully. The problem is, of the league’s current 85 offensive coordinators, quarterbacks coaches and offensive quality control coaches, 80 are white, including all 37 with the word “quarterback” in their titles.

Not only has Jackson spoken out about the deplorable numbers (“I’ve talked about it because it is a problem,” Jackson said), he has walked the walk. On his Browns staff, Jackson put African-Americans in the most important positions. He hired former Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton to be his associate head coach for offense and quarterbacks coach. Hamilton will be the only African-American quarterbacks coach in the NFL this season. Former Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Ray Horton will be the Browns’ defensive play-caller. Also, Kirby Wilson, a veteran running backs coach, will coordinate Cleveland’s running game.

Jackson is paying it forward, providing Hamilton, Horton and Wilson with opportunities to advance their careers, which is what others did for him. Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, who is also black, turned over his offense to Jackson, helping Jackson re-climb the coaching ladder. Jackson also received a boost from Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, among others, who once hired him as a quarterbacks coach. Everyone needs that person who puts you in the position to succeed.

“There are people who helped mold me to become who I am, and you take bits and pieces of who they are,” Jackson said. “I’ve always known, being in the position I’m in, I had to be the most prepared to have an opportunity to get where I am today. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had. I also believe you should help others if you’re in a position to do it.

“But the men who are on my staff now are here because they’re the best at what they do. Pep, Ray and Kirby … they’re the best in their field. Kirby has coached some of the best running backs in this league. Pep has coached [Colts Pro Bowl quarterback] Andrew Luck. Ray has orchestrated some of the better defenses. I didn’t hand them jobs. I gave them opportunities because I want the best around me. And they’re going to elevate their careers as we go along.”

Who are the next African-American coaches in the pipeline on offense? Where are the young rising stars on defense who will help change the game? Sadly, Jackson doesn’t know.

“I know that somewhere out there, there’s the next person who deserves that opportunity. I just don’t think they’re in our league, and that’s really hard for me to say that,” Jackson said. “You really don’t know who the people are out there in college. For a lot of different reasons, a lot of them don’t get to come here to be in the minority internship program. I wish I knew where they are.”

No move will define Jackson’s first year in Cleveland more than his decision to go all in on Griffin. Once Griffin signed with the Browns after being released by the Redskins in March, Jackson cleared the path for the 2012 NFL offensive rookie of the year to start.

Now comes the hard part: Griffin must reward Jackson for his faith in him. Although it’s only a matter of time before Griffin fails spectacularly again, his former coaches say, Jackson isn’t trying to hear that talk.

“I know what I know. He can play,” Jackson said. “He needed an opportunity and to be in the right place. This is it.”

Perhaps for Jackson as well. You get the sense that Jackson could inspire the Browns to exceed expectations, which, with their history and overall roster, won’t be high again.

“This may not be the best way to say it, but they’ll steal some games this year,” Stewart said. “They’re going to win some games that people won’t expect them to win. Hue always has his guys ready to play. They’ll definitely surprise some people.”

Browns fans hope so. They’ve been down for so long, they’re hungry for something to smile about. And if Jackson provides it, that would be a great look.

since I can remember watching the Browns, no coach has been able to change the culture ... and each one has vowed to do it. I hope Hue's the one

What a great read. As far as "changing culture" goes, this HC will need to blaze his trail uphill, and keep his folks plugged in, coaches and players, through some unavoidably certain hard times and shortfalls. I think it is a major task, a worthy goal, and an imperfect process. My respect for him is growing. But this is still the honeymoon for a while. Throw your best at them and get the coaches on board. It may be uphill, but the view is better if we get to the top.

Nice to read some positives. That has been earned.

I like Hue and think he is a good coach.

However, we hear this stuff every time a new staff comes in. It's all rosy at first and we hear about changing the culture and how things really are different this time.

Two years later and the guy is a bum who can't coach and needs to be fired.

It's a tough job,, I hope he can pull it off.

I think he's got a great personality and is very upbeat .. Hopefully he is as good a guy as he seems ..

Hopefully he's as good a coach as he is upbeat ... So far everything I've SEEN says he is doing things the right way ...

Way to early to know how good of a HC he's going to be ... Just like the pups he's coaching there's a lot of potential there with him ... Let's hope he is who we think he is and that this FO gets him the talent he needs and doesn't alienate him with their MONEYBALL BS ...

Optimistic about Hue .. Problem is he's only going to be as good as the talent he has to work with ...

We need patience this year .. I know I won't judge us one iota based on record this year ..

Its a good article, but call me once bitten twice shy...or 10 times bitten, well, whatever.

Marty Schottenheimer had a winning culture, it dipped a little and the Bill Belichick was in the process of restoring it and probably even taking it to greater heights.. then the team moved. Since then... nothing. It's like God is punishing us because Art Modell moved the team..

I am very optimistic about this team but this has to be grounded

I agree. I am really working to temper my optimism. I think Hue can get us where we need to go but it's going to take a few years.. relax... breath...

Everything is peaches and cream until we start stringing loses one after another, then we'll see how everyone acts/responds/where their mindset goes or becomes.

Young kids who are use to winning with flying colors might experience getting whipped on here in Cleveland for perhaps the first time ever. Losing can suck the life out of everything, but you guys already are aware of such.

They're likely going to lose and lose a lot. The difference will be if they can play hard and be competitive for 16 games, showing improvement and cohesiveness over the course of the season. I, for one, want to see some attitude on the field this year. I am so sick of watching this team be the doormat of the NFL.

My two biggest fears at this point are 1) RGIII gets killed behind a discombobulated O-line, is knocked out early in the season, and there is no gelling or improvement on offense over the course of time. 2) Our defense is shredded because once again we can't stop the run, our secondary is second rate, and Ray Horton's D gives up an average of 27.2 points per game.

My over/under on Ray Horton right now is two years. If he can't effectively keep opposing scoring low, he may be the first casualty of the rebuild.

I like Hue, like his attitude, respect his knowledge and experience, and love seeing that he's actually coaching up the players. I can take the losses if the team shows progress, but if the QB can't stay healthy, and the team is unable to improve over time, the loser mentality will set in and the team will fall apart... once again.

There's no doubt he will need time to build the team his way, he'll likely need several years to implement his system to the point it becomes habit, and to assemble enough talent to make it all work. The question is, as always, will the Haslams, the media, and the fan base hold their water long enough for that to happen.

Please bring back Dick Jauron!

I believe that will be dictated not by the score, but by how/why we lost...

Losing by one point or losing by 100 points, it's irrelevant. A loss is a loss. Moral victory nonsense is what a politically correct person would cling to.

Now, it can lessen the effect of the loss, that's for sure, if we demonstrated a tough battle and etc.

All JMO

j/c

Here's John Greco talking about differences this season on the Really Big Show (radio)

Link

He mentioned past regimes letting things slide while Hue is all about accountability. I found that somewhat interesting with Hue's reputation as more of a players' coach.

God is punishing us because we fired Marty. Even the Chargers and Redskins are feeling the same wrath. Neither have really been relevant since, the Chargers are trying to move to LA and the Redskins are being pushed to change their name. The Marty curse is real!

I loved Marty!

I know you are joking, but the Chargers made the AFC Championship game the year after they fired Schottenheimer.

That was a strong team that still had Marty's influence. They then went down hill.

Heck, we saw it here in Cleveland. Marty had developed a team w/great culture. We got rid of him and made Bud Carson the HC. He went 11 and 5 and made the AFC Championship game......but man, that was still Marty's team. After that.......the team went downhill.

Marty was a tremendous coach and really did KNOW how to develop a winning culture.

I don't actually care about this at all, but I am bored and don't have anything else to do. The Chargers went to the playoffs the three years directly after Schottenheimer was fired (when he had a 14-2 record!).

Okay........you win. Marty sucked.

Now go steal some kids candy bar.

No one said Schottenheimer sucked. Just that the Chargers were good even after he was fired (after going 14-2!).

I hope Hue Jackson has as much success as a head coach as Marty Schottenheimer did (just with a few more playoff wins).

A "winning culture" will come back when we have a top 10 QB and a defense that can stop the run and rush the QB.

Simple.

LOL......we're sitting at 0 for 3 in your criteria.

Gonna be a long year...

Pretty telling comments by Greco

I know. Fix at least two of them and boom....winning culture comes back.

Think about it, when did we last have two of those?

I am on record as not having wanted Pet fired, because it is stupid to expect a team to turn completely around in 2 years .... and it is stupid to expect that a new head coach will not have bumps along the way.

However, when rumors that Pet might be fired started circulating, I said that if the Browns were stupid enough to fire him, then I hoped that they would find a way to hire Hue Jackson. However, I also doubted that Hue would be insane enough to walk into the mes this team has been .... especially since Haslam has owned it.

When we hired Chud, I was really hoping for Arians. (I think that Vers was about the only person with me on that one) Anyway, I like Hue a lot as a coach, and I hope that he is allowed to actually get his program up and running before Haslam runs yet another coach out of town.

Not as good, and then the Brown's hired that coach for OC who sucked even worse.

J\C HUE the well touted Q.B. guru brought in the biggest bust Q.B. [IMO]that even a 3-13 team and 30 other teams didn't want any part of and made him a starter before the ink was dry, with no qb competition now how is THAT a formula for 'winning bit time' but I still hope that HUE is the man dawgs but I cant see it at this time

In Marty's 4 full seasons we were .500 or better all 4 times and in the playoffs all 4 times... In 24 seasons since firing Marty, we have been at or over .500 exactly 3 times.. noodle that. (Belichick once, Davis once, Crennel once)

Wait, wait, wait. Say what you want about Norv Turner as a head coach, but are you saying he's a bad offensive coordinator?

Sometimes I have wet dreams about Hoyer not getting hurt that year. Could have changed a lot of things.

Or Hoyer would have just turned into a pumpkin that season instead of the next season.

Under the same coach who turned DA into a probowler? Not a chance.

?

He's saying that he wishes Brian Hoyer never got hurt because he would have been coached by Norv Turner instead of Kyle Shanahan. This is a topic of conversation because you and I were discussing Marty Schottenheimer. PerfectSpiral then mentioned Norv Turner being a bad offensive coordinator (Turner took over for Schottenheimer). Now we are here.

Hue Jackson is black and hires lots of black people.

I am still confused. He said something about the same coordinator who turned DA into a Pro Bowler. I don't get it.

Chud.

Ahhhh........thanks. I thought he was talking about Norv Turner. LOL