Browns to hire Freddie Kitchens as head coach

The Cleveland Browns will hire Freddie Kitchens to be the eighteenth head coach in team history. He will become the ninth head coach since their return in 1999. An announcement is expected by the end of the week with a press conference to follow.

Kitchens follows the current trend in the NFL where teams are hiring what they see as bright and innovative offensive minds as head coaches. The Browns thought highly of Kitchens as they denied him permission to talk to other teams about other offensive coordinator openings throughout the interview process.

Previous to the firing of Hue Jackson and Todd Haley, Kitchens served as the associate head coach and running backs coach. Once the two were let go, Kitchens was moved to interim offensive coordinator. Previous to this, Kitchens had only called plays in the NFL on one other occasion, during the Browns’ fourth preseason game this year against the Lions.

From Week 9 on, the Browns offense created a completely new identity. Baker Mayfield and Co. led the NFL in yards per play at 6.86 yards. The 2000 Rams are the only team to average more over a full season at 6.98. They also finished fourth in yards per game at 395.1.

Kitchens also played a large role in the development of rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield.

With Hue Jackson and Todd Haley in control, Mayfield finished 130-of-223, 1,471 yards, with 8 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.

Under Freddie Kitchens, the rookie quarterback was 180-of-263, 2,254 yards, with 19 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.

Cleveland was also fourth in passing yards per game at 285.9 and tied for the league lead in yards per pass attempt at 8.72.

Some argued that Kitchens lacked experience to be head coach. However, he is more than qualified to be given a shot at the job, especially if John Dorsey and the Browns believe he is only a year or two away from being stolen by another team.

Kitchens played quarterback at Alabama under Gene Stallings. He has coached under two legends in Bill Parcells and Bruce Arians while spending eleven seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. He coached running backs and tight ends while also serving as a quarterbacks coach. During which he helped Carson Palmer to some of his most successful seasons in the NFL.

The Browns interviewed Gregg Williams, Dan Campbell, Jim Caldwell, Brian Flores, and Matt Eberflus.

Vikings’ offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski interviewed twice however the Browns went with Kitchens instead.

Interim head coach and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was relieved of his duties and is no longer with the team.