DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Kitchens coaching staff speculation/news

Go get Chuck Pagano for your DC, pay the man, it would be a great investment ... JMHO

I predict Steve Spagnuolo is our next defensive coordinator.

No sources or anything. Just a guess.

This should flat-out NOT be allowed to happen.

I'd agree that Tampa has a lot of talent down there... I felt they should have been better. I guess they did too...

Winston isn't terrible. They have arguably the best WR in the league. Tampa would be a nice spot for Leveon. Plus they have some nice pieces on defense... I mean Carl Nassib is there.

I wouldn't be upset with this either.

I am sure he already has list, and that list was presented to Dorsey in the interview on who Kitchens thinks he can get to come here.

Hes been in the NFL for 13 years - that's a long time.

Interesting. I could see it.

If Kitchens relies on Dorsey's connections to fill out the coaching staff, especially with Arians re-assembling Arizona's staff in Tampa, then Bob LaMonte represents both Dorsey and Spagnuolo, and we all know his history of connecting clients. Spagnuolo shares a similar defensive philosophy as Williams, too.

I hope so, but Kitchens and Jones worked for a long time together in Arizona.

I didn’t want to be the one to say it.

So, who would the potential candidate list be for DC?

Pagano
Bowles
Schiano
Del Rio
Fox
Spagnuolo
maybe Kris Richard*
maybe Brian Flores*


*these are not technically Defensive Coordinators, but are calling plays, so they may get blocked

Some interesting names here...

https://247sports.com/nfl/cleveland-brow...81/#127586281_1


Potential defensive coordinators for the Browns

ByJOSH EDWARDS 24 minutes ago


The Cleveland Browns have tabbed Freddie Kitchens to be their new head coach. It has also been reported that the team will not retain interim head coach and former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Cleveland will search high and low for their next defensive coordinator. Kitchens has already reached out to a few candidates. Cleveland Browns on 247Sports take a crack at identifying some of those candidates.

The candidates include some coaches with a lot of experience in the role and some others that would be serving for the first time. As a first time offensive minded head coach, it may benefit Kitchens to hire someone with some experience.

FORMER COLTS HC CHUCK PAGANO

Chuck Pagano could get some interest as a head coach, but if that does not work out and he wants to get back into coaching. Pagano is best-known for his run as the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2012 through 2017. He went 53-43 during that time and 3-3 in the playoffs. He was fired after the 2017 season. Prior to his run as the Colts head coach, Pagano earned recognition for his work as a defensive assistant for the Baltimore Ravens. He was the team's secondary coach between 2008 and 2010 before a one-year run as the defensive coordinator in 2011. Pagano comes highly recommended by Kitchens' mentor and friend - Bruce Arians.

COWBOYS DEFENSIVE BACKS COACH AND PASSING GAME COORDINATOR KRIS RICHARD

Cowboys defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Kris Richard was a third round pick in the 2002 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. After a six year playing career, he joined USC's coaching staff as a graduate assistant. His NFL career began with the Seahawks as assistant defensive backs coach in 2010. He was there eight seasons before being hired to his current role. Richard may want the opportunity to be a full-time defensive coordinator again. Cleveland could offer him that title.

FORMER JETS HC TODD BOWLES

There had been reports that former New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles was joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers under new head coach Bruce Arians. The contract has not been signed yet so he is open to other opportunities. He worked with Kitchens in Arizona.

Bowles played collegiately under Bruce Arians at Temple and then spent time in the NFL as a safety. His first NFL job came in 2000 with the Jets as a secondary coach. He then coached the secondary with the Cleveland Browns between 2001 and 2004 before taking the same position with the Dallas Cowboys in 2005. He was the assistant head coach in Miami between 2008 and 2011 before taking over as the interim head coach following the firing of Tony Sparano late in the season.

Bowles then worked for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012 as the secondary coach before he was promoted to interim defensive coordinator following the firing of Juan Castillo. He then joined the Arizona Cardinals under Arians as their defensive coordinator in 2013. He was hired by the Jets in 2015. Bowles went 24-40 as the head coach of the Jets between 2015 and 2018 and was fired at the end of the season. Despite his team's overall struggles, his defensive units were always strong.

FORMER CARDINALS HC STEVE WILKS

Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks spent a good chunk of his early coaching career in the college ranks before becoming the defensive backs coach of the Bears in 2006. He held that job through 2008 before holding that job with the San Diego Chargers between 2009 and 2011. He followed Ron Rivera to the Carolina Panthers in 2012 as the defensive backs coach before he was promoted to assistant head coach in 2015. He became the defensive coordinator in 2017 of the Panthers before he was named the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals last year.

The Cardinals fired Wilks after he went 3-13 this year. The majority of his experience comes with coaching a 4-3 scheme, but his time in San Diego exposed him to 3-4 concepts.

FORMER BRONCOS HC VANCE JOSEPH

Former Denver Broncs head coach Vance Joseph remains a candidate for the vacant Cincinnati Bengals head coaching position. Joseph had previously served as a defensive coordinator with the Miami Dolphins as well as a defensive backs coach with the Bengals. The 46 year old has coached in the NFL for the past 14 seasons following a two year playing career with the New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts. He compiled a 11-21 record as head coach of the Broncos.

GIANTS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR JAMES BETTCHER

The New York Giants seem to like what they have in defensive coordinator James Bettcher, who is still under contract. It is very unlikely for this to happen because the Giants would have to let him out of his deal but it stands to reason that Freddie Kitchens would have some interest. Bettcher and Kitchens were on Arizona's staff together from 2015-2017 so there is some familiarity, which is key in the coaching carousel.

FORMER FALCONS DC MARQUAND MANUEL

Defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel was recently fired by the Atlanta Falcons. The quickly ascending coach is now looking for employment. Here is why Manuel is intriguing: he has connections with the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers. Everyone is familiar with the lengthy Green Bay connections on this staff. Manuel was with the Packers while General Manager John Dorsey, Vice President of Player Personnel Alonzo Highsmith and Assistant General Manager Eliot Wolf were with the organization. He also served as an assistant coach with the Seahawks for three seasons. Dorsey and Scot McCloughan trust the opinion of Seattle General Manager John Schneider.

PATRIOTS LB COACH BRIAN FLORES

The New England Patriots linebackers coach has served as the de facto defensive coordinator this season but he may want the title to make himself more appealing in the future. If Cleveland did offer him the position, New England would likely match. They have a history of doing just that. The New York native has spent his entire 15 year NFL coaching career with the New England Patriots. He received an interview to be the Arizona Cardinals head coach but was not hired. The 37 year old has served as linebackers coach for the past three seasons. Brian Flores spent his college playing days at nearby Boston College. There is some concern for how poorly former New England assistants have performed out from under the Bill Belichick coaching tree.

TEXANS LB COACH JOHN PAGANO

The brother of Chuck Pagano, John Pagano is another well-respected NFL assistant coach. Pagano is the senior defensive assistant/outside linebackers coach for the Houston Texans. His NFL coaching began as a defensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints in 1996. Since then he has primarily worked as an assistant linebackers coach. He did hold down the defensive coordinator position with the San Diego Chargers between 2012 and 2016 before holding that same title with the Oakland Raiders in 2017.

JETS ASSISTANT HEAD COACH AND INSIDE LINEBACKERS COACH MIKE CALDWELL

If the Browns are unable to get someone like Todd Bowles, Mike Caldwell could be the next best thing. He is a former second-round pick of the Browns in 1993 and played in the NFL between 1993 and 2003. He spent the 2002 season as a member of the Bears. He went on to coach for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2008 as a defensive quality control coach.

Caldwell eventually became the team's linebackers coach in 2011 and followed Bowles to Arizona in 2013 with the same title. Kitchen was there at the same time. He later came to New York with Bowles in 2015. He is 47 years old, understands the 3-4 system very well and is a well-respected coach given his previous title of assistant head coach.

I don’t see Fox or del Rio getting the job. I think del Rio is waiting for Clay Helton to get fired at USC.

Bowles is going to either Chicago or Tampa Bay. Cross him off the list.

Kris Richard looks like he might be the Dolphins head coaching job.

I highly, highly doubt Belichick is going to to just let Flores is walk.

I forgot about Wilks and Joseph. Those are both viable names.

Can't argue with any of that, I was just throwing out names. FATE added a few others. Bowles was added because he and Kitchens worked together in Arizona.

Off of this list only, I like Pagano and Schiano interest me as well.

Seems severe and quick. Hope he wanted it for his next gig.

My hat is off to GW and what he accomplished. He changed some culture in spite of circumstances and conditions that were tough. Thanks, GW and son for helping us win again.

Jeff Schudel
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@jsproinsider

Gregg Williams is out as #Browns defensive coordinator. Freddie Kitchens will likely limit his search to a D.C. that likes to play a 4-3 to keep Myles Garrett where he is now.



Jeff is a reporter out of Lake County. Not sure if this is speculation on his part.

I echo those sentiments. I’m the grand ol Duke of York about hiring FK but it’s continuity of some sort. Good luck Freddie, make us proud.

I don't like that Gregg is out, but understand why it had to be done. He does as well.

Best of luck .

Schiano could be an interesting name... Didn't Jimmy try to get him hired at Tennessee a few years back? He must like him...

That I am not sure, I would have to take your word for it. But I like the type of personality he is, and I think that's the type of personality that Freddie is. I think this coaching search is based a lot of Chemistry - and I can see Schiano having some with Freddie and our roster if considered. JMO.

Yeah, let's switch to a 3-4 and completely rebuild the D line again. We can move Garrett to OLB because that ALWAYS works out for us. Two years from now we can call him a bust and trade him for a 5th rounder...

I think they should hire Blake Williams. He knows the D and wouldn't change the scheme. He may hesitate out of loyalty to his father but I'd bet Coach Williams would encourage his son to take it. He's a young man that is worth taking a chance on...

Whoever we hire it BETTER be a 4-3 guy and he better be known to ATTACK. If we bring in another "never attack always play it safe" DC we deserve to lose. Man, I hate that mediocre never take a risk, sit back and wait crap. We have the start of a really good D line. Garrett is only going to get better as long as we have a DC that will allow him to attack.

Blake Williams is a grown arse man.. it's time for him to get out from under his fathers shadow.

Keith Britton
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@KeithBritton86
5m5 minutes ago
More Keith Britton Retweeted Mary Kay Cabot
Looks like Kitchens will be keeping Ryan Lindley as #Browns QBs coach. Baker and others seemed to really like him when asked about his role last season

https://twitter.com/KeithBritton86/status/1083092743256186881

Had time to briefly look it up.

Here's one link...


Link

Awesome! I didn't know that. I think its interesting that's for sure - but I think Freddie will get the chance to hire his own guy, as Haslam let Dorsey do with Freddie. I think Dorsey will give him some ideas or names to start - but it will be Freddies call. John is ol school, he will give Freddie that leeway.

Im not sure if Freddie has any connections to Schiano, but I just like the temperament on defense Schiano would bring.

Yep, it looks like Ryan Lindley will be getting a promotion....

Cant say im mad, the more guys we rid that had ties to the past regime the better IMO.

Let Freddie build his own staff. One day, they will be saying - "Joe Smith from the Freddie Kitchens coaching tree!"

This was pretty predictable. Zampese is a Hue guy all the way. Lindley is an interesting hire. Baker mentioned him several times as a guy he relied on late in the season.

On Lindley:



https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nf...dley/536706002/

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/01...y-as-today.html

Keep Bob Wylie or we riot.

Smart moves by Freddie already.

j/c....

Amos Jones out??....

Not Bob Wylie!!!

Otherwise, no surprises. I wouldn't be surprised to see Al Saunders let go as well.

I’m going to miss Bob Wylie

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/01...y-as-today.html

That is a house cleaning.

Wylie is gone. Where do we meet to start the riot?