Browns fire Robert Nunn, hire Clyde Simmons to coach defensive line

Another one bites the dust.

Hue Jackson’s shakedown of the defensive coaching staff continued today, as Jackson fired Ray Horton’s defensive line coach, Robert Nunn.

As Alex Marvez of The Sporting News first reported, Clyde Simmons will replace Nunn as defensive line coach.

Simmons follows new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, whom Simmons worked under for the previous three seasons. A 15-year NFL veteran, Simmons served as assistant defensive line coach with the Los Angeles Rams, mentoring young defenders such as Aaron Donald.

In his NFL career, Simmons played for the Eagles, Cardinals, Jaguars, and Bengals. The 52-year-old South Carolina native began his coaching career in 2012, after retiring from the game in 2000. Simmons served under Mike Waufle with the Rams. The Bills just hired Waufle to coach their defensive line.

Simmons will have some talent to work with in Cleveland. Danny Shelton showed significant improvement at defensive tackle, Emmanuel Ogbah notched 5.5 sacks as a rookie, and Carl Nassib has definite talent at defensive end.

With another early-round edge rusher potentially on the way, Simmons will have an important job to do with the Browns.