Cleveland Browns Hire Hue Jackson As Next Head Coach

According to reports by ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Cleveland Browns are close to finalizing a deal to bring in Hue Jackson as their next head coach.

Browns now finalizing deal to hire Bengals OC Hue Jackson as their next HC, per sources. Close to being wrapped up, per sources.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 13, 2016

As recently as this morning, most people still believed Jackson would take an interview with the Giants before deciding where he wanted to coach, but it seems the Browns were able to close the deal before he got on a plane to New York. This news is a bit of a surprise, as last night it was reported that the Browns hadn't made up their minds yet.

Jackson was a hot coaching candidate this season after spending the past few seasons on the Bengals staff, culminating in a successful year as offensive coordinator in 2015. Jackson has previous head coaching experience, having held the position for the Oakland Raiders for one season, when the team went 8-8.