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Pioli “Very Interested” In Browns

From Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain-Dealer:

Scott Pioli, Patriots vice president of player personnel, is believed to be very interested in the Browns’ general manager job and is expected to interview for the position soon, multiple league sources told The Plain Dealer on Monday.

The Browns have been granted permission by the Patriots to interview Pioli and could talk to him as soon as today. Pioli also has been contacted by either the Kansas City Chiefs or Detroit Lions and will interview for one of those jobs as well, a source said.

The interviews will be the first Pioli has accepted since he joined the Patriots in 2000. He was granted permission to interview with two other teams, but he declined both. In 2005, the Seattle Seahawks, despite not formally interviewing Pioli, offered him a five-year, $15 million deal, which he turned down. He also declined a request to be interviewed by the New York Giants in January 2007.

If Pioli takes the Browns job, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, a Canton native, could be near the top of his list of coaching candidates. Pioli hired McDaniels, 32, in 2001 to be a personnel and coaching assistant for the Patriots. The two remain close. Browns owner Randy Lerner confirmed Monday that McDaniels is on his short list. The Lions already have asked for permission to interview McDaniels, the Boston Herald reported Monday night.

Pioli began his NFL career in Cleveland under Bill Belichick in 1992 and has told associates over the years that the Browns job would be intriguing to him and one of the only ones that would be compelling enough to pry him away from Belichick and the Patriots.

Pioli, who was a pro personnel assistant for Cleveland from 1992 to 1995, loved the city and the team. He also formed close relationships with people such as Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro and would love to help rebuild the Browns the same way Shapiro has done with the Tribe and Danny Ferry the Cavs, sources said.

Pioli, 43, was with the Browns when they went 11-5 in 1994 under Belichick, and everyone on that staff felt the team was on its way to glory before the team moved to Baltimore in 1995. If Pioli takes the Browns job, he would have the final say on the 53-man roster that Belichick had in New England.

During Pioli’s nine years with the Patriots, the team won four conference titles, three Super Bowls and he was twice named Sporting News NFL Executive of Year, as voted on by his peers.

Browns owner Randy Lerner, who has a good relationship with Pioli, is expected to go hard after him and give him a chance to write his own job description. Pioli also would weigh heavily in the hiring of the new coach.

If Pioli does hire McDaniels, he most likely would hope to pair him with at least one experienced coordinator.

“He’s got a lot of qualities,” Lerner said of Pioli. “He’s very well-trained. I think he’s got a very attractive demeanor, football demeanor. It’s the right time of life for him. I think he’s a fundamentally good guy.”

If Pioli turns down the job, there’s a chance Lerner could turn to Bill Parcells, who’s Pioli’s father-in-law. Parcells can become a free agent as soon as next month if the Dolphins are sold.

“I’ve been following that story,” Lerner said. “[Sure] I would talk to him.”

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2008/12/pioli-said-to-be-very-interested-in-browns/

I really am not sure if Pioli is the right guy, maybe to put in a system, a plan, an "identity" for this franchise but I dont know if he is all that good at aquiring talent....just looking at his last 3 drafts, they are awful, really...go take a look...he seems to be good at drafting OL+DL....that´s about it....and he has some wtf-picks every year in earlier rounds who get out of football very quick...I don´t like that...big name FAs wanted to come to NE, that was easy, won´t be that easy over here..and then there is coaching...I´m starting to think that NE success is more coaching than talent aquisition....what have NE-FAs and castoffs done elsewhere? Right....nothing

My fear is that Pioli is just a "name" without all that much substance to it

I do believe or understand that the GM would have the power over hiring & the 53 man roster, that give the organization a person to HAVE THE LAST DICISSION. It normally works in reality as the GM hires his Head coach and the head coach says ok, who do you want, ok's the list and hires them, unless he really dosent like someone but mostly they work together, just like the 53 man roster it's normal for the GM to have final say, but the coach is normally involved when picking them, it's just the GM has final say if there is a tie. having Pioli if he comes bring NE guys helps the trust factor when picking coaches, rosters ect. no learning curve.

So really it's not the system, it's the people running the system.

I have no clue. He definitely seems to be the "hot" candidate at the moment, but I really don't know what to think.

I'm just to the point where I can't get enthusiastic about this team until they are winning. Sure, I'll be monitoring every second and here at DawgTalk every day of the year, but I'm just permanently in "believe it when I see it mode."

I am about to look up New England's draft picks under Pioli, Django.

... " If Pioli takes the Browns job, he would have the final say on the 53-man roster that Belichick had in New England... "

Not sure about this one ... You pick and then throw it in a coach's lap (your problem )
how many experienced coach's would except that ...

Dalking about draft ( good or bad ) how much did Pioli have to say about it ( Belichick )

I guess I just don't know how these things work. Is it pretty common for the GM to have the final say on the 53 man roster? Does that happen pretty much throughout the league?

This guy has been a hot candidate for GM positions since 2005 - so, he is not some one-hit wonder. Pioli has worked in one of the most respected organizations - and has been a key component in the management of the organization.

Before we say that he is only a Belichick boy, I want to point out that Pioli works closely with the Krafts, and they are responsible for returning the Patriots to glory. They hired Parcells to lead the team to the Super Bowl in the 1996 season. And they enticed Parcells away from the Jets in 2000. If Pioli has been able to absorb a quarter of the knowledge and skills from the Krafts and Belichick, he is well worth bringing on board.

Does Pioli favor any schools? lol.

Lerner wanted Scott before we got Phil..it was just that he couldn't make a lateral move from the Pats back then.

I think the hiring of Pioli would be a great move. I hope it happens.

I also like the idea of a young coach. I think the experience factor is over rated.

I tend to agree with others that having an experienced GM can really help an "inexperienced" coach.

I think the key is for the GM and coach to come to a consensus on things. Yeah, someone may have to make an executive decision sometimes, but what you want is a large majority of the players on the 53 man roster being there because of agreement between the GM and HC. I think whoever the GM is, if he can bring in a HC that has a very similar philosophy and approach to the team, that would help things a lot. I think Savage and RAC didn't have that, which lead to the problems we had.

Thanks for the reminder. I recall that, too. The Patriots have made it very hard for teams to hire Pioli away. It's has left many in Boston to assume the Patriots know Pioli will not leave, or else they would not have granted the interview rights this year.

I agree with Peen; I would be very happy with the Pioli/McDaniels pairing. What I want is a younger coach that can stay with the team for years, like Fisher and the Titans or Cowher and the Steelers. Just because a coach is young or inexperienced doesn't mean he'll be a failure. Just because a coach is older or very experienced doesn't mean he'll be a success. We just have to make sure the candidate is right for the job. I'm tired of the ultra-conservative football we've been seeing for years... I want some daring and innovative use of the talent we have here.

I told my wife two weeks ago that our next GM/coach combo would be Pioli/McDaniels, and I hope I'm right for once.

What about Pioli/Manginious? hehehe Go Brownies!!!

Here's some information on Pioli:

Scott Pioli is in his ninth season with the Patriots and along with Head Coach Bill Belichick has instilled a football philosophy designed to create a consistent championship contender in New England. Their work has produced an NFL-best three Super Bowl championships, four conference titles and six division crowns in the seven seasons since 2001. Pioli and Belichick's nine seasons together makes them the NFL's longest-tenured current personnel director/ head coach tandem.

Pioli's primary personnel objective is to build a team, not to simply collect individual talent. As a result, the Patriots have been able to prosper despite the NFL realities of injuries and the salary cap, which have proven in many cases to be impediments to long-term success in pro football. The depth and versatility of the clubs that Pioli and Belichick have assembled have been integral to the Patriots' success, as players from a wide spectrum of previous experience have played important roles in the team's achievements.

Once Pioli and Belichick arrived in New England in 2000, it took the pair just two seasons to rebuild the foundation of the team. Since orchestrating the franchise's first Super Bowl victory following the 2001 season, Pioli and Belichick have produced consistently solid results, becoming the only personnel director/head coach tandem in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in a four-year span (2001-04). The Patriots are the only NFL team to win at least one playoff game in each of the last five seasons (2003-07) and are the only team in the league to win nine or more games in each of the last seven seasons (2001-07). Additionally, New England's 11 playoff wins over the last five seasons are tied for the highest total by a team over any five-year span in NFL history. The Patriots' 14 playoff wins this decade tie the NFL record for most playoff wins in any decade, equaling the marks of the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers and the 1970s Dallas Cowboys.

In recognition of his achievements, Pioli was awarded The Sporting News' George Young NFL Executive of the Year award (voted on by NFL executives) following the 2003 and 2004 seasons. He is one of just three NFL executives, along with Bill Polian and Bobby Beathard, to win the award in consecutive years. Pioli is the youngest executive to win the award.

In 2007, the Patriots embarked on a record-setting campaign during which they became the first team in NFL history to complete a 16-0 regular season. Of the 53 players on the Patriots' Super Bowl XLII roster, 50 were acquired since 2000. New England set team records for total points scored (589), largest point differential (+315) and most touchdowns (75), while tying the league mark with 18 overall wins. Additionally, quarterback Tom Brady's 50 touchdown passes set an NFL record and Randy Moss's 23 touchdown receptions also set a league mark.

In each of the last five seasons, the depth and versatility of New England's roster helped overcome key injuries to win five straight AFC East titles. The Patriots have used an average of 40 different starters over the last five seasons, and claimed two NFL records for success in that category. In 2005, the Patriots set a post-merger league record for a division champion by utilizing 45 different starters. In 2003, the Patriots won Super Bowl XXXVIII despite using 42 different starters, the most in league history by a Super Bowl champion. In 2004, the Patriots employed 40 different starters as they won their second consecutive Super Bowl, and in 2006 won their fourth straight AFC East title while using 39 different starters. Last season, the Patriots tied the all-time NFL record with 21 different players scoring touchdowns. Of the 53 players on the Patriots' Super Bowl XLII roster, 43 were acquired after the team's first championship in 2001 and 31 were acquired since the team's third title in 2004.

The Patriots have used an effective combination of free agent signings, trades and draft picks to acquire championship-caliber players. In 2007, six Patriots players drafted by Belichick and Pioli were selected to the Pro Bowl and were named to the Associated Press All-Pro first or second teams. Those elite players came from a wide variety of draft positions - Tom Brady (sixth round), Dan Koppen (fifth round), Matt Light (second round), Logan Mankins (first round), Asante Samuel (fourth round) and Vince Wilfork (first round). Since 2000, Belichick/Pioli draft choices have earned one Associated Press Most Valuable Player Award (Brady), three Super Bowl MVP awards (Brady and Deion Branch) and 15 Pro Bowl berths (Seymour 5, Brady 4, Light 2, Koppen 1, Mankins 1, Samuel 1 and Wilfork 1). Veteran free agents signed by Belichick and Pioli include defensive co-captain Rodney Harrison, outside linebacker Mike Vrabel and three-time Pro Bowl special teams captain Larry Izzo among dozens of other contributors to New England's championship squads. New England's trades have netted improvement in drafting position that led to the ability to exchange draft picks for key veterans such as Randy Moss, who set the NFL record with 23 touchdown receptions in 2007, Wes Welker, who tied for the NFL lead with a team-record 112 receptions in 2007, and Corey Dillon, who set the Patriots' single-season rushing record in 2004.

Pioli was honored with Executive of the Year honors from national media outlets following the 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2007 seasons. Following the Patriots' first Super Bowl victory, the Dallas Morning News picked him as the league's top executive. Two seasons later, following Super Bowl XXXVIII, he earned Executive of the Year honors from Pro Football Weekly (voted on by the media), The Sporting News (voted on by NFL executives) and Sports Illustrated. In 2004, Pioli's accolades included the NFLPA's Award for Executive Achievement and NFL Executive of the Year awards from The Sporting News, USA Today, the San Francisco Chronicle and SI.com. In 2007, Pioli again earned Executive of the Year honors from Pro Football Weekly, the Dallas Morning News and the San Francisco Chronicle.

Pioli began his NFL career when Belichick hired him as a pro personnel assistant for the Cleveland Browns in 1992. In Cleveland, he was responsible for the evaluation of both college prospects and veteran free agents as well as negotiating various player contracts. He also coordinated all player tryouts. He was promoted to director of pro personnel after the Cleveland franchise moved to Baltimore in 1996. He spent one season with the Baltimore Ravens, where he oversaw all aspects of pro personnel and negotiated the contracts of free agents and several draft choices.

In 1997, while serving as head coach of the Jets, Belichick hired Pioli as the director of pro personnel. He was credited with the signing of a number of veteran free agents who played critical roles in the Jets' rebuilding process. In just two seasons, the Jets completed a worst-to-first turnaround, rebounding from 1-15 in 1996 to 12-4 in 1998. The 12 wins were the most in franchise history and gave the Jets their first division title since 1968.

Pioli played defensive tackle at Central Connecticut State (1983-87), where he was a three-time Division II All- New England selection. In 1988, after graduating with a degree in communications, he accepted a two-year graduate assistant position at Syracuse University, where he also earned a master's degree from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

He accepted a full-time coaching opportunity at Murray State, where he spent one season as the offensive line coach (1990) and one season as the defensive line coach (1991). He left the coaching ranks to join the Browns personnel department in 1992.

Pioli was born on March 31, 1965 in Washingtonville, N.Y. He is an avid baseball fan. He currently serves on the board of directors for various non-profit foundations and serves on the board of directors for the College for Every Student Foundation, a national non-profit organization that partners with public schools in high-need communities to raise student aspirations and performance. He remains actively involved in fund raising for several organizations in his hometown (Washingtonville, N.Y.) and at his alma mater (Central Connecticut State). He established the Rose Pioli Scholarship in the name of his grandmother to benefit children of educators, professional firefighters, police and other emergency medical service providers. He was enshrined in the Central Connecticut State Hall of Fame in 2005. Scott and his wife, Dallas, have a daughter, Mia Costa Pioli.


Who is Scott Pioli

Now I know that a lot of the credit may belong to Bellyache, but some credit must go to Pioli for all of the accolades that he has received.

If not for that overblown heap of a QB, Mangini would be in the playoffs. Nine INTs in the last five games??? Man, even DA looked better in the second half of last season.

It's has left many in Boston to assume the Patriots know Pioli will not leave, or else they would not have granted the interview rights this year.
I tend to disagree..the Pats feel he wants to move on..the fact he's interested is telling..the Browns is the one place that would tempt him to leave..which I hope he does..
U can only hold back a guy for so long..the time is right for him to move.

If we don't get Pioli I will be upset. I hope that Pioli would then chose to hire McDaniels. I don't like that he is inexperienced, but there are no experienced coaches that I like out there. I like that McDaniels is young and hope that he can be our guy for years to come.

BTW- I wonder if a Pioli-McDaniels combo would be the youngest GM-Head Coach combo in the NFL. Pioli is 43 and McDaniels is 32.

If it works out that way, Nolan would be a nice hire as DC.

So if this was a lateral move a few years ago, what has changed that it wouldn't be a lateral move or even a demotion to us?

If he is as interested as her article said..it would just be a matter of hammering out details..

Smart money tells me this will be a swift move. One thing I like about Lerner is he tries to leave no stone unturned but he is decisive and quick.

If he truly is ready to leave NE, it would be a matter of Randy just coming to terms with contract parameters and I could see this happening by the end of the week.

Well, as for my opinion.....I say try and get experience over in-experience. We have already tried the in-experience with Romeo. And it didn't fair out that well. And take a look and Bellichek's other desciples....not doing so hot....I'm beginning to think that everything in the Patriots organization revolves around Bellichek and Kraft.....If it was me, I steer clear on the Patriots, and try something else. I'm a huge Marty fan. He has been successful everywhere he has went...My vote would be Parcells / Marty.......but that is an AWFUL lot of ego to have on one team.....

I would love to have Nolan as DC. I would be thrilled with him or Mangini,

Oh ..I don't give a crap about the Boston media/fans..
If Scott is hired..my concern is the HC ..I want a experienced coach ..who can handle young players and vets and has a say on the roster.

Someone posted this list of awards that Pioli has earned over the past few years on another site. I thought it is interesting to note them here. This guy comes with a long history of recognition.

2001
Dallas Morning News - NFL Executive of the Year Award
2003
Pro Football Weekly - NFL Executive of the Year Award
Sporting News - George Young NFL Executive of the Year Award
Sports Illustrated - NFL Executive of the Year Award
2004
NFL Players Association - Executive Achievement Award
San Francisco Chronicle - Executive of the Year Award
Sporting News - George Young NFL Executive of the Year Award
Sports Illustrated - NFL Executive of the Year Award
USA Today - NFL Executive of the Year Award
2007 season
Dallas Morning News - NFL Executive of the Year Award
Pro Football Weekly - NFL Executive of the Year Award
San Francisco Chronicle - Executive of the Year Award

When you are are stuck in Boston, any chance you get to annoy them is a pleasure (you should hear how everyone is saying that Tom Brady is perfectly healthy)... Everyone was happy when RAC and Weis left, but there is some worry if Pioli were to leave.

general reply.....

would be hilarious if they hired

pioli gm
mcdaniels hc
rac dc
mangini oc

lol....then you would have the experienced coordinators.....(which i feel is a big part of success for a new hc)...

and pioli...who has been hightly sought after for years as a gm...

I think I'm rather tired of the NE Tree.... I know it's unreasonable to hold that against Pioli.. I realize he could very well be the real deal.. '

I just don't want another situation where both my coach and GM are rookies at the job. One of them has to have experience and has to have had significant success in thier role.

If Pioli comes here and we bring in a top shelf HC... WITH EXPERENCE.. Then I don't have a problem. If a guy like Floyd Reese (as an example) comes here and we bring in a Josh McDaniels (as an example) I got no problem with that either.

it's just that having two rookies in those positons at the same time makes me a little less than excited. Didn't we just do that?

My one lone exception would be,,, any GM and maybe Spagnuolo of the Giants... That guy has something I think that would work here even if he's a rookie HC. WIth him, I'll take a Reese type or a Pioli type..

Take a look at this: http://www.giants.com/team/coach.asp?coach_id=10

While your at it, maybe this guy: http://www.giants.com/team/coach.asp?coach_id=5

I guess we'll see.