Dawgs By Nature - Tracking Cleveland Browns Coaching, GM, and Front Office MovesA Cleveland Browns bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48679/dawgsbynature-fave.png2016-05-02T16:03:16-04:00http://www.dawgsbynature.com/rss/stream/104682972016-05-02T16:03:16-04:002016-05-02T16:03:16-04:00Kevin Griffin, VP of Fan Engagement, Out in Berea
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<figcaption><a href='https://www.flickr.com/photos/edrost88/'>Erik Drost on Flickr</a></figcaption>
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<p>Monday afternoon, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/2016/05/cleveland-browns-kevin-griffin/">Waiting for Next Year broke the news</a> that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> are parting ways with <b>Kevin Griffin</b>, the team's VP of Fan Engagement. Griffin was hired back in 2013, where he was tasked with engaging fans to find out what type of improvements they'd like to see on gameday from a fan experience perspective -- in other words, the entertainment aspect, but not the product on the field.</p>
<p>In our limited correspondence via Twitter or email with Griffin over the years, he answered our questions and recognized our site's existence. However, there have been more than a handful of individuals who have had some not-so-nice things to say about him, and I'm talking about employees or the local media who worked with him in Berea on a semi-regular basis. And even though no formal announcement has been made by the team yet, you can read between the lines with the timing of some of these tweets from local media members:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">For all of you subjected to that cesspool of shit —— today is a better day, doesn’t excuse the act</p>
— LA (@TheRealLA__) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealLA__/status/727214993536503808">May 2, 2016</a>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Better days in Berea are coming.</p>
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) <a href="https://twitter.com/RuiterWrongFAN/status/727217115783114752">May 2, 2016</a>
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<p><b>Daryl Ruiter</b> of 92.2 the Fan followed that up with saying, "<b>Dee Haslam</b> is my hero," as she is believed to be the person who has really helped clean up the cancerous/controversial personalities in Berea, from the likes of Griffin to former team president <b>Alec Scheiner</b>.</p>
<p>Griffin also played a role in the implementation of team's "third down Halloween music" over the past several years, and presumably the promotion of the logos/uniforms last year along with the debut of Swagger. The uniforms are still set in stone for another four years I believe, but we might see a few changes again from the fan perspective side of things.</p>
https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2016/5/2/11570652/report-kevin-griffin-browns-vp-of-fan-engagement-out-in-bereaChris Pokorny2016-04-03T20:40:17-04:002016-04-03T20:40:17-04:00Browns Revamp Strength & Conditioning Staff
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a>' overhaul of their strength and conditioning staff is nearly complete. After hiring <b>Adam Beard</b> last season under the title, "Director of High Performance," he really needed to wait until the 2016 season before he could analyze the team's current practices, put together a plan for the team, and get the right staff together.</p>
<p>The three primary staff members from last year were the team's strength and conditioning coach, <b>Paul Ricci</b>, and two assistant strength and conditioning coaches, <b>Mike Wolf </b>and <b>Derik Keyes</b>. Of the three, only Keyes was retained, under a similar title of "strength and conditioning assistant." Here is the new staff, by title, to date:</p>
<p><b>Director, High Performance:</b> Adam Beard<br><b>Strength and Conditioning Coordinator:</b> Evan Marcus<br><b>Strength and Conditioning Coordinator:</b> Jason Veltkamp<br><b>Strength and Conditioning/Skills Assistant:</b> Joe Kim<br><b>Strength and Conditioning Assistant:</b> Derik Keyes<br><b>Strength and Conditioning Intern:</b> Ian Jones<br><b>Sports Scientist:</b> Jamey Mroz</p>
<p>According to Browns.com, over 50 candidates were interviewed by Beard for the six positions, and the team is currently in the process of hiring a nutritionist. Head athletic trainer <b>Joe Sheehan</b> assisted Beard in coming up with the type of candidates who should fill the positions.</p>
<p>To read more about each of the new staff members' strengths, check out their mini-profiles on the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/New-look-strength-staff-looks-to-shape-Browns-with-diverse-toolbox/72d13686-8331-42f3-9805-b6625ce13357">official team site</a>.</p>
https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2016/4/3/11358516/browns-revamp-strength-conditioning-staff-under-adam-beardChris Pokorny2016-03-04T09:22:21-05:002016-03-04T09:22:21-05:00Browns Hire Joseph Kim, Martial Arts Expert
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<p>As first reported by ESPN's <b>Field Yates</b>, the Cleveland Browns have added <b>Joseph Kim</b> to their staff:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Browns have hired Joe Kim to their coaching staff. Kim has a martial arts background and is revered for his work with pass rushers.</p>
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) <a href="https://twitter.com/FieldYates/status/705538701040947200">March 3, 2016</a>
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<p>Although the team has not released an official statement on the hiring, Kim's Twitter profile has been updated to reflect his title: Assistant Strength/Skill Development Coach. <a target="_blank" href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/03/03/report-browns-add-joe-kim-to-staff/">According to Pro Football Talk</a>, this is Kim's third stint with the Browns:</p>
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<p>He worked with the old Browns from 1992-95 as an assistant strength coach and pass-rush specialist in his first NFL job, and returned to the Browns in the same role when they returned to the league in 1999.</p>
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<p>Kim has previously been a pass rushing consultant for NFL teams, and last year, he was a strength and skill development coach for the Washington Redskins. It appears as though the Cleveland area is his hometown, though. Hopefully his martial arts background will whip guys like <b>Barkevious Mingo</b> and <b>Nate Orchard</b> into shape.</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Back at it. Pass rushers are developed with the fundamentals planted on Lesson 1. <a href="https://t.co/VXgaYDySrA">pic.twitter.com/VXgaYDySrA</a></p>
— JOSEPH E. KIM (@masterjoekim) <a href="https://twitter.com/masterjoekim/status/698132869915525120">February 12, 2016</a>
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https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2016/3/4/11160476/browns-hire-joseph-kim-as-assistant-strength-skill-development-coachChris Pokorny2016-02-20T20:12:48-05:002016-02-20T20:12:48-05:00Notes: Former Members of the Browns' Front Office
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<p>According to Football Scoop, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> are hiring <b>Brendan Donovan</b> to join their scouting staff. The news is relevant to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> because he was previously a member of the team's front office. He was hired as a college scout in 2013 when <b>Joe Banner</b> was the team's CEO. In 2014, when <b>Ray Farmer</b> became the general manager, Donovan survived the regime change and was promoted to the position of College Coordinator. He was still listed on the team's website in that position in January, but has since been removed.</p>
<p>The Browns have also appeared to let go of <b>Brian Decker</b>, who was hired as the team's Player Personnel Strategist in January 2014. He described his position as being "the principle advisor to the General Manager on all matters related to the talent acquisition and management strategies." According to his LinkedIn page, he is now self-employed, and is also no longer on the team website.</p>
https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2016/2/20/11080694/notes-on-a-couple-of-former-members-of-the-browns-front-officeChris Pokorny2016-02-11T16:17:08-05:002016-02-11T16:17:08-05:00Browns Promote Two Members of Front Office
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> have done a little more tweaking to their front office. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2016/02/browns_ken_kovash_promoted_to.html">According to <b>Mary Kay Cabot</b></a> of the Plain Dealer, <b>Ken Kovash</b> and <b>Kevin Meers</b> have received promotions within the organization.</p>
<p>Kovash has been the team's Director of Football Research for the past three years. Although a title for his new role has not been made public, Cabot says that he will work alongside <b>Andrew Berry</b>, the Vice President of Player Personnel, to help run the scouting department. Because of Kovash's promotion, Meers will slide in as the Directory of Football Research after previously being a Football Research Analyst.</p>
<p>Kovash isn't a Harvard grad -- he went to Cal-Berkely -- but Meers is. Both men are heavily in to analytics, solidifying the team's commitment to that area of the game.</p>
https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2016/2/11/10971000/browns-promote-two-members-of-front-officeChris Pokorny2016-02-08T19:08:32-05:002016-02-08T19:08:32-05:00Complete List of Cleveland Browns' Coaching Staff
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<p class="pgh-paragraph has-dropcap" id="paragraph0">The <a data-ref-index="5" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> officially announced eight more hirings on their coaching staff Monday. All of these hirings had been reported through back channels over the past couple of weeks, but now that they are official, we can look at a full list of all of the coaches that have been confirmed hires, along with a quick snapshot of which teams the coaches were last with. The confirmed hires on Monday are noted with an asterisk, and some commentary is provided beneath that category. For commentary on all previously-announced hires, go <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dawgsbynature.com/2016/1/23/10820082/complete-list-of-the-cleveland-browns-coaching-staff">here</a>.</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph1"><b>Head Coach:</b> Hue Jackson (Cincinnati)</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph2"><u><b>Offense</b></u></p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph3"><b>Associate Head Coach:</b> Pep Hamilton (Indianapolis)<br><b>Senior Assistant / Wide Receivers:</b> Al Saunders (Tennessee)<br><b>Run Game Coordinator / Running Backs:</b> Kirby Wilson (Minnesota)<br><b>Tight Ends:</b> Greg Seamon (Cincinnati)<br><b>Offensive Line:</b> Hal Hunter (Indianpolis)<br><b>Assistant Offensive Line:</b> Mark Hutson (Eastern Illinois)<br><b>Offensive Quality Control:</b> Bob Saunders (Cleveland)<br><b>Offensive Quality Control:</b> <span class="sbn-auto-link">Rock Cartwright</span> (Pittsburgh)*</p>
<p>Speaking on Cartwright, head coach <b>Hue Jackson</b> said:</p>
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<p>"I was part of the process that drafted Rock coming out of Kansas State," Jackson said. "I was with him for two seasons in Washington and then when I was with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Raiders</a>, we brought him to Oakland. He was a tremendous football player and he was always a team leader. He is a detailed, organized perfectionist who likes to push. I think he will do a great job with Kirby (Wilson) and help our young running backs get better."</p>
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<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph9"><u><b>Defense</b></u></p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph10"><b>Defensive Coordinator:</b> Ray Horton (Tennessee)<br><b>Defensive Line:</b> Robert Nunn (<span class="sbn-auto-link">New York Giants</span>)*<br><b>Assistant Defensive Line:</b> Ken Delgado (Western Kentucky)*<br><b>Inside Linebackers:</b> Johnny Holland (Saskatchewan)*<br><b>Outside Linebackers:</b> Ryan Slowik (<span class="sbn-auto-link">New York Jets</span>)*<br><b>Defensive Backs:</b> Louie Cioffi (Tennessee)*<br><b>Assistant Defensive Backs:</b> Cannon Matthews (Tennessee)*<br><b>Defensive Quality Control:</b> Eric Sanders (Stanford)*</p>
<p>Speaking on the defensive line coaches:</p>
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<p>"Robert Nunn is one of the finest defensive line coaches in all of pro football," Jackson sad. "We have a relationship that extends back to our days with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a>. He coached in Super Bowls with the New York Giants and has coached some tremendous players."</p>
<p>"This will be Ken Delgado’s first opportunity to coach in the National Football League," Jackson said. "I have a relationship with him prior, we go way back and I have watched him teach at so many different places. I know that he is a guy who is going to help teach that room how to play defensive line."</p>
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<p>Speaking on the linebacker coaches:</p>
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<p>"Johnny Holland is a seasoned veteran coach," Jackson said. "He played in this league and has had success as a player and a coach. He is a very passionate demanding teacher. I know without any question he is going to get the best out of our linebackers."</p>
<p>"Ryan Slowik is an up and coming bright young coach," Jackson said. "I think he has tremendous upside as a young coach in this profession. He has been with the Jets, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a>. I think the sky is the limit for him."</p>
<p>"Eric Sanders was our offensive quality control coach when I was with the Raiders," Jackson said. "I have always wanted to get him back with me. He is hard working and great at analyzing things. He is coming from Stanford and they have a tremendous program. He will help with our linebackers."</p>
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<p>Speaking on the secondary coaches:</p>
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<p>"Louie Cioffi and Cannon Matthews were both with Ray here in Cleveland and also in Tennessee," Jackson said. "I think it was very important to get continuity on that side. These guys have been around Ray, and I think that is important. They understand the system and know how things are laid out. I think anytime that you can have coaches that you have worked with, you have an opportunity to hit the ground running. Me and Louie worked together in Cincinnati a while back so I know what kind of football coach he is. Cannon is going to be the assistant secondary coach and he will do a tremendous job."</p>
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<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph16"><u><b>Special Teams</b></u></p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph17"><b>Special Teams:</b> Chris Tabor (Cleveland)<br><b>Special Teams Assistant:</b> Shawn Mennenga (Cleveland)<br><b>Special Teams Quality Control:</b> Stan Watson (Cleveland)</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph19"><u><b>Strength and Conditioning</b></u></p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph20"><b>Director, High Performance:</b> Adam Beard (Cleveland)<br><b>Strength and Conditioning:</b> Vacant?<br><b>Assistant Strength and Conditioning:</b> Vacant?<br><b>Assistant Strength and Conditioning:</b> Vacant?</p>
https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2016/2/8/10943358/complete-list-of-the-cleveland-browns-coaching-staffChris Pokorny2016-02-02T12:30:39-05:002016-02-02T12:30:39-05:00Browns Hire Eric Sanders as Defensive Assistant
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<p>According to <b>Alex Marvez</b> of FOX Sports, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> have hired <b>Eric Sanders</b> as a defensive assistant:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Source tells <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLonFOX">@NFLonFOX</a> that <a href="https://twitter.com/Browns">@Browns</a> have hired <a href="https://twitter.com/StanfordFball">@StanfordFball</a> defensive assistant Eric Sanders for same position. Worked w/Hue for <a href="https://twitter.com/RAIDERS">@RAIDERS</a></p>
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) <a href="https://twitter.com/alexmarvez/status/694526419242647554">February 2, 2016</a>
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<p>This past season, Sanders was a defensive assistant at Stanford. When <b>Hue Jackson</b> was the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a>' head coach in 2010, Sanders worked with him as an offensive assistant, primarily helping with the tight ends. His experience since 2011 has shifted over to the other side of the ball.</p>
<p>The hiring of Sanders likely completes the Browns' defensive coaching staff. It wouldn't be a surprise to see the team officially announce <b>Ray Horton's</b> staff soon, at which point we will put together a comprehensive list of the staff.</p>
https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2016/2/2/10895922/browns-reportedly-hire-eric-sanders-as-defensive-assistantChris Pokorny2016-02-02T12:24:59-05:002016-02-02T12:24:59-05:00Browns Reportedly Hire Johnny Holland as ILB Coach
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<p>According to <b>Alex Marvez</b> of FOX Sports, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> are hiring <b>Johnny Holland</b> to be their new inside linebackers coach:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Source tells <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLonFOX">@NFLonFOX</a> that Johnny Holland will be <a href="https://twitter.com/Browns">@Browns</a> new ILBs coach</p>
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) <a href="https://twitter.com/alexmarvez/status/694525616104706048">February 2, 2016</a>
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<p>Over a week ago, it was revealed that the team was hiring <b>Ryan Slowik</b> to be their <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dawgsbynature.com/2016/1/25/10830422/browns-reportedly-hiring-ryan-slowik-as-outside-linebackers-coach">outside linebackers coach</a>. There were once very subtle rumors that <b>Mike Singletary</b> would be involved with the Browns' defensive staff in some capacity, perhaps as a linebackers coach, but with both positions now filled, you can pretty much toss that idea out the window.</p>
<p>Holland has been a longtime assistant in the NFL, but was most recently a linebackers coach in the CFL for the BC <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Lions</a> from 2014 to 2015. He does not have an apparent connection to either head coach <b>Hue Jackson</b> or defensive coordinator <b>Ray Horton</b>. <b>Brent Sobleski</b> of Bleacher Report does make an interesting point about Holland's ties to two of the CFL's better linebackers:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Of note, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Browns?src=hash">#Browns</a> new ILB coach, Johnny Holland, coached arguably CFL's best two LBs past few years in <span class="sbn-auto-link">Solomon Elimimian</span> & Adam Bighill.</p>
— Brent Sobleski (@brentsobleski) <a href="https://twitter.com/brentsobleski/status/694542677132582912">February 2, 2016</a>
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https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2016/2/2/10895448/browns-reportedly-hire-johnny-holland-as-new-inside-linebackers-coachChris Pokorny