The Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Cavaliers are on the same level at this point of their seasons, and it is not a level that Cleveland fans are happy with. So, it is only fitting that they both made similar decisions this week, as the Browns followed suit with the Cavs' firing of Tyronn Lue by doing the same with their head coach, Hue Jackson, on Monday afternoon. The team announced that defensive coordinator Gregg Williams would take over in the interim role, as offensive coordinator Todd Haley was also let go. This comes after a 33-18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, which dropped them to 2-5-1 on the season, one year after going 0-16 under Jackson.
The now former head coach also has a 1-15 season under his belt with Cleveland, as this was just his third season with the club. General manager John Dorsey, who was hired last season, took some heat for keeping Jackson on following a winless season, but it took him less than half of this season to part ways with the former Oakland Raiders coach. Reports and rumors say that Jackson had a tough relationship with Haley, which is why both had to go on this day.
That tough relationship played a role in the lack of development of rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has come in sooner than expected after Tyrod Taylor struggled to begin the season. Mayfield was the top pick in the NFL Draft out of Oklahoma, and his college coach, Lincoln Reilly, was not surprised at Jackson's firing. The Sooners coach said "I knew this was coming," but brushed aside any speculation of him coaching in the NFL.
The 53-year-old Jackson had one season of coaching with the Raiders before this gig and went 8-8 in 2011. Since he joined the Browns in 2016, they are last in the NFL in win percentage, offensive efficiency, points per game, and quarterback rating. His .205 win percentage is the second-worst in NFL history for a head coach with at least 40 games, all adding up to a reasonable mid-season firing.
The now former head coach also has a 1-15 season under his belt with Cleveland, as this was just his third season with the club. General manager John Dorsey, who was hired last season, took some heat for keeping Jackson on following a winless season, but it took him less than half of this season to part ways with the former Oakland Raiders coach. Reports and rumors say that Jackson had a tough relationship with Haley, which is why both had to go on this day.
That tough relationship played a role in the lack of development of rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has come in sooner than expected after Tyrod Taylor struggled to begin the season. Mayfield was the top pick in the NFL Draft out of Oklahoma, and his college coach, Lincoln Reilly, was not surprised at Jackson's firing. The Sooners coach said "I knew this was coming," but brushed aside any speculation of him coaching in the NFL.
The 53-year-old Jackson had one season of coaching with the Raiders before this gig and went 8-8 in 2011. Since he joined the Browns in 2016, they are last in the NFL in win percentage, offensive efficiency, points per game, and quarterback rating. His .205 win percentage is the second-worst in NFL history for a head coach with at least 40 games, all adding up to a reasonable mid-season firing.
