Browns Add Nolan Cromwell as Senior Offensive Assistant

by Chris Pokorny on Jan 18, 2012 7:55 PM EST

TAMPA FL - OCTOBER 24: Receivers coach Nolan Cromwell of the St. Louis Rams works with the receivers just before the start of a game.

If there is one guy the Cleveland Browns needed to bring aboard to bolster this coaching staff, it was the St. Louis Rams' wide receivers coach (Nolan Cromwell). Before you start to fret, don't worry -- he was not named as the team's new offensive coordinator. Instead, he will serve as a senior offensive assistant.

Cromwell was brought in to replace Keith Gilbertson, who has served as a senior offensive assistant for the past two seasons with Cleveland (who would have known?). Gilbertson retired after this past season, according to reports. Nate Ulrich from the Akron Beacon Journal provided some background information on Cromwell and how he is connected to Mike Holmgren, and also Mike Sherman (a rumored candidate for the Browns' vacant offensive coordinator position).

From the ABJ:

From 2008-09, Cromwell served as an offensive coordinator for Texas A&M under coach Mike Sherman, who has reportedly interviewed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' head-coaching position but would also be a logical candidate to fill the Browns' offensive coordinator vacancy.

Cromwell, who's pictured to the left, has another important connection to the Browns. He worked as an assistant under President Mike Holmgren. While Holmgren was the head coach of the Green Bay Packers, Cromwell coached the organization's special teams from 1992-97 and its wide receivers in 1998. Cromwell then joined Holmgren as the latter took control of the Seattle Seahawks. He coached the Seahawks' wide receivers from 1999-2007.

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Someone who is good with receivers can’t hurt.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Jan 18, 2012 8:23 PM EST reply actions

My thoughts exactly. I don’t know how much of an impact he will have on the team, but I would think it would be at least some kind of positive.

by RyanBr on Jan 18, 2012 8:37 PM EST up reply actions

Plus somebody with that much coaching experience is a good thing too.

by BornAKardiacKid on Jan 19, 2012 6:55 AM EST via Android app up reply actions

When are we going to be renamed the Cleveland Holmgrens?
In all seriousness, I really have no clue how this will impact the Browns. I didn’t even know there was a Senior Offensive Assistant?

by macdowellm03 on Jan 18, 2012 8:28 PM EST reply actions

I’m guessing it’s like a QC position.

by Brownie's Year on Jan 19, 2012 2:48 AM EST up reply actions

This.

This is one thing i cant stand right now about mike holmgren. it seems as though every single hire he brings in, was connected to him prior to the season. i dont care how much holmgren can “vouch” for any guy he hires, hes being CONSIDERABLY biased against anybody who he hasnt coached with before.

I dont mind that we now have a senior offensive assistant, but jesus can we please hire somebody that maybe didnt work with holmgren? other people working in the nfl are good too.

Wont be surprised: Im guaranteeing the offensive coordinator that comes in for the browns has worked with holmgren before in some capacity. its almost as if they throw out any applications that dont have the words “im friends with mike holmgren”

by Jonngotti on Jan 20, 2012 2:24 PM EST up reply actions

This is one thing i cant stand right now about mike holmgren. it seems as though every single hire he brings in, was connected to him prior to the season.

This happens at almost every single other NFL job. The Vikings just hired a DC that worked with Leslie Frazier before. The Rams hired Gregg Williams who used to work with Jeff Fisher, etc. etc. etc.

It’s because these guys know each other, they know the system, and they work well together.

I fail to see the issue.

by Bernie19Kosar on Jan 20, 2012 2:53 PM EST up reply actions

SO MANY SUPERBOWLS.

"We just lost to the Steelers 20 hours ago and that still hurts. I need to get home and eat a burrito." -Phil Dawson

by Adrock2099 on Jan 18, 2012 8:29 PM EST reply actions 8 recs

Well, he’s not a Bob Lamonte client, but Mike Sherman is.

What does that MEAN - TO PLAY US OUT?!!?!?

by DaveDawg09 on Jan 18, 2012 9:11 PM EST reply actions

Maybe he can help Tabor with improving our special teams. I would like Sherman as a OC even if he is a Lamonte client.

by BrownsFanRegina on Jan 19, 2012 2:41 AM EST reply actions

Sherman and Childress are both represented by LaMonte. I imagine the delay in naming an OC is Holmgren still trying to figure out how to fit both of them on the staff. Maybe one OC in the booth and one on the sideline? After last years performance, maybe we need two.

What does that MEAN - TO PLAY US OUT?!!?!?

by DaveDawg09 on Jan 19, 2012 11:07 AM EST up reply actions

Is he Senior Offensive Assistant for the head coach or his he Senior Offensive Asssitant TO the Head Coach?

Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen

by realmccoy on Jan 19, 2012 8:38 AM EST reply actions

Maybe he brings a juggs machine for our receivers.
Big mike: “How can you help our team?”
New guy: “Well, I have this thing.” (points to machine)
Big mike: “Interesting….you’re hired!”

Resident of Believeland.

by browndawgbacker on Jan 19, 2012 8:46 AM EST via iPhone app reply actions

He knows the offense, so that’s a positive. The question is still whether a decent coordinator will come here without assurances that he will call the plays.

by dabooo on Jan 19, 2012 10:33 AM EST reply actions

I remember him as a player #21 safety for the Rams, very tough and could hit, interesting the went from safety to offensive side of the ball.

"There's a gleam men, there's a gleam!" Marty

by Red-Right-88 on Jan 19, 2012 10:53 AM EST reply actions

We had better get in gear and hire the OC quick! Things to note

Raiders hired GB guy as GM
Miami interviewing Philbin for HC
Mike Mularkey in Jacksonville

These are all WCO hires that will deplete the choices throughout the league. I am fine with Cromwell, but we need to make that decision and get the OC position done.

by SBP on Jan 19, 2012 1:07 PM EST reply actions

These guys that you mentioned shouldn’t directly affect our search for an OC since they are all in line for bigger jobs.

"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened."
— Winston S. Churchill
I have the best wife - ever.

by JustBob on Jan 19, 2012 5:16 PM EST up reply actions

Correct but if they are hired as head coaches, they will need OC’s and other assistants. I am sure there are plenty of coaches out there, but we need a good one and one that will come to Cleveland. If we are competing against LA and Miami and Jacksonville we might come up short.

by SBP on Jan 19, 2012 10:40 PM EST up reply actions

I can see your point, thought the other question that needs to be asked (because I’m too lazy to check) is would those guys be looking for the same type of WCO guy that we are.

"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened."
— Winston S. Churchill
I have the best wife - ever.

by JustBob on Jan 20, 2012 4:47 PM EST up reply actions

Good point. I don’t know.

Philbin got hired in Miami though.

by SBP on Jan 21, 2012 10:29 AM EST up reply actions

An OC will be hired within the next week or so. Well before the combine, at least.

by Brownie's Year on Jan 20, 2012 3:19 PM EST up reply actions

I still don’t understand what these have to do with football.

Must be something to do with the home field advantage.

"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened."
— Winston S. Churchill
I have the best wife - ever.

by JustBob on Jan 20, 2012 4:52 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs