Mangini to interview for Browns coaching job
Posted December 30th, 2008 by Dan
According to Plain Dealer beat reporter May Kay Cabot, the Browns will interview former Jets coach Eric Mangini either today or tomorrow. Update: According to the Associated Press, Mangini will interview today.
With the Jets, Mangini had a 23-25 record and went 9-7 this season. New York got off to an 8-3 start this year, before faltering down the stretch. Mangini was reportedly let go because he didn't want Bret Favre to be the team's quarterback this season. Neither general manager Mike Tannenbaum or owner Woody Johnson were that specific.
Tannenbaum in the New York Times:
“I respect Eric, I admire him. He’s loyal, he’s smart. I think the world of him. But at the end of day, when I sat down with Woody, we had to make the right decision, not the easy one. But I am human and it hurt on a personal standpoint. But it’s what’s best for the New York Jets. We’ve made that decision and now we’re going to move forward.”
Johnson:
“This is about the most difficult thing you can do as franchise owner, and that’s making a change at head coach. Eric’s been our coach for three years. He’s done some amazing things. Nobody’s worked harder. He knows his X’s and O’s. He’s a good teacher.
“But Mike and I felt it was time to make a change. It’s not a decision we reached yesterday or 10 minutes ago. This was a decision running through the season.”
What makes this puzzling is that owner Randy Lerner indicated on Monday that a general manager would be selecting the head coach.
Mangini, 38, began his career with the Browns in 1994 as a ball boy. Mangini then latched on as an intern in the team's public relations department before being asked by head coach Bill Belichick to break down film for coaches.
Mangini gained notoriety during the 2005 season as the defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots. That catapulted him into the Jets job in 2006. The team went to the playoffs in 2007, losing in the first round to the Patriots.
Also see: Welcome back, RAC?
December 30th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
This guy seems kind of young to be a head coach.
December 30th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Yeah, well, the older you get the younger they seem.
December 30th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
You think Mangini's young @ 38??? Josh McDaniel's 32 and he's high on Lerners list. At least Mangenius has some HC experience. Bring him in along w/ Pioli. These two have had a working relationship b4 and would be perfect.
Leave RAC out of it. This would cause nothing but problems as it would split the lockeroom. If your gonna make changes, make a clean sweep w/ the new regime.
December 31st, 2008 at 12:04 am
Dear L. Ron Hubbard,
In all of your infinite wisdom, if you could see it fit to steer Romeo back to the Browns, I would be forever in your debt and would rush out to purchase the Book of Dianetics.
signed:
Someone whose whole ability to photoshop funny pictures for the live chats rests on more images of Romeo Crennel.