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yep, thats what i'm saying, there something going on here that needs to keep going on. They say teams take on the identity of their HC, thats happened here.

Good article, didn't know Depodesta was why Haley fired:

https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2018/...tchens-in-2019/

with Bake ... no need to worry about that ...

He’s got that covered in spades ...

Nice read with some interesting tidbits in there... including Depo being why Haley was fired, and that since week 9, the Browns are first overall in passing efficiency in Football Outsiders’ opponent-adjusted stats.

I posted something similar in the other thread but not anything that specific.

Kitchens has shown to be a "good" OC, but the transition to HC requires a separate/additional skillset. Gregg has sat in the chair, and what he is doing is working. I don't want another Hue situation where the offense suffers because of the other demands of the HC job. Bump Freddie's pay and call him associate-HC if you want, but I'd prefer keeping him where he's at.

I am curious as to what traits people see as most important for our next head coach to possess. Anyone want to give it a go?

WOW .... great question ... that’ll change the “angle” folks look at this from ...

Thanks for asking y-town .... i gotta think about that one ...

Happy New Year Dawg ...

Some of it depends on who is hired.

But I think every candidate will have to show strong organizational skills. Designing a practice and making sure every aspect of the game is being worked on in an efficient manner is important. I remember reading stories about Chip Kelly’s practices at Oregon. They were a marvel, everyone had something to do and there was no wasted time.

Our new coach also has to be able relate to young people. The NFL has become a league of very young players. Having a coach that yells and screams at players may work in the short term, but he will be tuned out eventually. Having a coach who is empathetic to the needs of players while keeping them accountable is of the utmost importance. From what I’ve heard Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan relate to their players in this way. It seems like Freddie Kitchens does this as well.

I don’t know if it is a trait, but being able to hire a quality staff is equally important as the two previous qualities I listed. If we hire a CEO type he needs to have guys who can be running meeting rooms and keep things in line. If we hire a coach who runs the offense or defense, then the opposite side of the ball coordinator needs to be trustworthy and competent. A great example of the CEO type of coach is Mike Tomlin.

Open mindedness is also very important. A coach might be an innovator when he gets the job, but he needs to be willing to incorporate new concepts from college and high school. If not an offense/defense can get stale. This leads to two things; first players might feel like they are not learning anything and might stop striving for excellence. Second, other teams know what a team’s tendencies are and the team becomes easy to play against. Mike McCarthy is a classic example of not being open minded.

These are things that come to my mind first. I would be interested to see what others have to say.

DePodesta didn't fire Haley, that story is from a previously posted piece where that article writer in his opinion said DePodesta fired Haley based on his speculation that Dorsey wanted Haley to be the interim HC. There was no proof to any of it, it's just the writer's opinion.

A winning pedigree.

A proven ability to motivate players to buy in and perform to their abilities.

Game management skills, i.e. halftime adjustments, clock management, challenges, etc.

An ability to work effectively with our FO and owner.

An ability to establish a team first atmosphere.

I couldn't care less about their personality, I want to win.

So in other words we already have our coaching staff?

j/c

A number of posters have stated that they don't believe any team would seriously offer Kitchens the HC job. I'm looking at the Arizona situation. 1) Reports are that Steven Wilks will not be retained. If true, there will be an opening in Arizona. 2) Freddie Kitchens was with their coaching staff from 2007 through 2017. They know him and like him. 3) After showing what he can do with a young quarterback, and having Josh Rosen, they would love to match Kitchens up with Rosen. 4) It's doubtful Kitchens would leave Cleveland for the same position with Arizona, but would surely consider a promotion to HC.

Arizona may be thinking that they missed the boat, in retrospect, by hiring Wilks instead of Kitchens this year. They may well be willing to gamble on Kitchens while everyone else is thinking "let's see how he does with a full season as OC."

Good question. I have some thoughts:

--I do not think it is imperative that he be a great Xs and Os guy. The daily teaching/coaching comes from the positional coaches and the coordinators.

--Great organizational skills. An orchestrator, if you will. This includes the pace of practices, delegating responsibilities, a routine that gets guys working at their highest level and then adding in something new each day.

--Has to command respect from his players and staff.

--This stinks, but you need a guy who is good w/the media in today's environment.

--Needs to get players to understand the importance of playing w/discipline.

--A guy who can build team unity and even create an "us against them" mentality. Players will run through brick walls if they believe in what you are doing and if they respect you. However, it can't be where you make it like you are their the boss and they are subservient. It's "We" rather than "Me."

--A guy who is open to trying new things. Belichick is famous for picking the brains of cutting-edge coaches. He wants to stay ahead of the curve. It's dumb to be stuck in your ways.

--Not all players feel this way, but I prefer a guy who is a great motivator rather than the stoic or reserved type. For example, I would rather play for a guy like Bill Cowher or Marty than I would for a guy like Pat Shurmur or even Tom Landry.

Yeah, the AHC role and corresponding pay bump would hopefully sate his appetite. But Defensive coordinators are a dime a dozen.

My fear is that someone pulls the trigger on Freddie this year. Everyone is always looking for that new hip thing and that's exactly what Kitchens is. Earlier this year we heard all about how DeFlippo was going to be a HC despite him being a moron. Why? Because he was young.

If I was looking at prospects, I'd think long and hard about Kitchens, Chud and the Ravens D coordinator. That's IF Dan Quinn isn't fired. Then he's at the top of my list.

I'm ready to make Freddie Kitchens the HC right now! Let's get it done Freddie.

Winning percentage

winning!

I'd say, give it another 12 months.

Given what the Browns Organization has muddled through for the past (segment of time),

Would anything really be that missed out on if they gave the process and this current group another 12 months to prove they can't be the guy,

before outright deciding there "has" to be more brought in.

(Think about it! only in Cleveland would their be consensous opinion to stick with a 1-31 coach

Only to have consenous that they have to replace a 5-2 head coach, just one year later.

It's loopy! OIC. If you made this stuff up, nobody'd believe it.

Good luck finding a HC candidate with a positive winning percentage...

Unless this is just being a creative way to say you want Arians.

GW's winning percentage as the Browns HC seems pretty good.

Total win percentage is .400 :-/

Winning percentage as HC of the Browns is .714 and Hue Jackson says we don't have any talent.

The only team that matters

On your last point, how important do you think it is to have a motivator as head coach when you have a guy like Baker at QB, who is definitely a motivator? Could pairing him with a strong motivator become overkill, or would it be OK?

I'm not sure. I think it would be good as long as they are on the same page where it is one of those coach/qb relationships where they share a lot of the same philosophies.

Only in Cleveland, lol.

The count is now three.

I won't ask for a link, but how could any of us possibly know what most teams around the league are thinking?

I thought Dorsey indicated earlier that Williams was assured of an interview, had earned it, and then we won some more. Why not here? What are your statements based on? Giving these guys an extension would be fine in my book.

I do not see a reason to take anything away from these two in this situation personally. To do so seems like drama for the sake of drama.

I wish there would have been a follow-up question to Freddie after "Do you want to be a head coach?"...."Are you ready to be a head coach NOW?"

He did somewhat address that.

On a report from FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer that he has ‘locked up’ the offensive coordinator position for next season:

“Jay knows more than I know, I guess (laughter). I am serious when I tell you I do not advertise for jobs. I do not have to and I will not ever. I heard the other day somebody say something about how I was not ready to be a head coach. I mean, who the hell is ready to be a head coach? Do you have a résumé that you check off a list and everything? I am not worried about head coach, coordinator – I do not care. I am just trying to do the job that I am doing right now today and then do a good job tomorrow and then the next day, and then see where I am at the end of the year. I really truly do not put any thought into beyond this week.”

Link

The biggest Trait would be his ability to find ways to win...I believe If a Coach is winning...people in the Organization in higher places tend to not let any disagreements get in the way.

His ability to win will outshine any traits that aren't accepted by personality differences...There are so many personality differences and egos on a team that trying to be a guy who can deal with them all is a tough job.

I have heard Patriot players say it was very hard to play for Bill Belichick...But he made them look good because he knew how to win...And in the end that's all that mattered to the players...

There are many traits you may like to see in the HC of the Team you root for...But the one most important one is the one that puts the "W" in the column that means the most.

Finding the HC with all the traits that make him out to be perfect for everyone is going to be a challenge...But finding that HC with the trait to win maybe less of one.

Whoever ends up as the HC ...I just want him to keep this team winning and heading for the BIG Playoff picture...I could care less if he picks his nose and flicks it at the Refs...Well that might be a little extreme and obnoxious so I wouldn't like that..LOL...But you get my point...That most other traits are just a bonus.

I was referring to all the talk of Kitchens and seemingly little of Williams. My point was that if Williams doesn't get the job here, he may get looks elsewhere. Personally, I'd like the current situation to become permanent.

In my opinion this might be one of the easiest decisions of all time relating to the Browns. Just keep everything the way they are, no need for too much change. Don't mess with what is already working.

Maybe the only change I'd make is with the special teams coach but that's about it. I'd lock up everyone else. I'd be very pleased if Dorsey comes out with a press conference sometime after the game and announces that they're keeping Williams and Kitchen in their current capacities.

Thanks Tulsa. That's a very revealing answer by Freddie. And it's no stretch to say he's "been around the block" in his coaching experience.

From my experience playing at the collegiate level on a national championship team (NAIA - HEY, don't laugh), administrative skills are the most critical from a head coaching standpoint: from the locker room staff, to the practice field, to the game. I see all that in play in C-land right now. Keep the consistency!

First, I am reminded of a story where Napoleon was looking at promoting a promising young general to full corps commander, and several people are listing the guys abilities and achievements, and Napoleon asks, "yes, yes, but is he LUCKY?". Is he a WINNER, would be our equivalent. Either 5-3 or 6-2 is a winner. I read people saying at 6-2, after beating Baltimore, at home, and knocking them out of the playoffs, GW should get "serious consideration". I...UMM....ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? He shouldn't make it out of the parking lot without a signed contract and a big check.

On the special teams coach, anybody remember how almost the whole board wanted Tabor gone? Well, we did that, and it got WORSE.

On GW's bombastic nature - numerous, first-hand player statements on CBD indicate he has Significantly and Dramatically toned it down as HC. He is still Loud, but not as much.

I am all for making Williams the full time head coach and of course keeping Kitchens as OC and assistant HC.
The Browns are playing their best football in a long, long time. Why change things up when what we have now is working.
Williams has proven to be a leader of men and has instilled accountability and chemistry within the team.
In the Browns long history only Paul Brown, Blanton Collier, Nick Skorich, Marty Schottenheimer and Williams have winning records as coaches of the Browns.

I wonder what depo said to Dorsey and haslem that convinced them to fire Haley?? I guess we had better keep him around.

I agree with Tab.

You don't want a first year HC also being the OC. I like what we have with GW getting players' minds right on Sundays and Kitchens running the offensive playbook.

DON'T CHANGE WHAT AIN'T BROKE!

GW will get more HC offers than Kitchens because he just showed everyone that he can do the job. Desperate teams may make offers to Kitchens for a HC job but that is because they are in need of a high risk/reward pick. Those are teams without a lot to offer a potential HC as far as talent and the big names will be looking at other teams.