Browns name ex-Bengals OC Hue Jackson new head coach

The Browns added another chef to the Kardiac Kitchen on Wednesday, hiring Hue Jackson to serve as head coach. In addition to coaching college football for more than a decade, he also had coaching stints with Redskins, Falcons and Ravens since entering the NFL in the 2001-02 season.

The New York Giants are hiring offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo as their next head coach, a person familiar with the decision said.

Jackson is the eighth Browns coach since their return in 1999, sixth since 2008.

Jackson has earned praise for his work with Bengals veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, so how he handles Manziel – if he handles him at all – will be a key story line in the new coach’s tenure. All his coordinators turn into head coaches these days (like Hue Jackson this year, and both Jay Gruden and Mike Zimmer last year). When video surfaced of Manziel, he lied to the team about how old it was and reportedly asked his friends to lie for him about his whereabouts.

“I know what Hue Jackson can do, and I feel very comfortable and confident that I can get it turned”, Jackson said.

“I kind of know the lay of the land”, Jackson said at one point.

“We were pleasantly surprised at the interest in this job”, said Haslam, at his biennial new coach introductory press conference. “I can’t worry about what’s happened before me”. Having lasted only one season as the Oakland Raiders head coach, many have questioned if he was worthy of any more chances.

“This is our man”, Haslam told them. Manziel’s recently ended his second season by missing a scheduled medical treatment amid reports he was spotted in Las Vegas. But in the end, the Bengals will miss Jackson’s energy, bravado and offensive acumen more than Jackson will miss the team’s consistency and structure. The Bengals were among the league’s most exciting offenses with a solid balance and quick-strike capability.

Jackson replaces Pettine, fired after going 10-22. Jackson has been in the National Football League since 2001 when the Redskins hired him as their running backs coach.

Hue Jackson said he had no preconceived notions about the Browns organization when he agreed last week to interview for the coaching job.

His future in Cleveland is seemingly set, though. The 49ers lost that game and the next two as well.

Jackson’s interview schedule and whereabouts had generated an amount of post-Black Monday buzz second only to ex-Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase, who became the first candidate off the board when he was hired by the Dolphins on Saturday. It’s water cooler talk at best but in three years if the Browns are relevant and Miami isn’t, you can bet this will be brought up.

“I’ve never experienced anything like that before in my life”, Jackson said.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do”, Jackson told the gathering of secretaries, sales representatives and others.

“This past season was a nightmare”, said Browns fan Jon Mazei.

If Hue Jackson can finally make a victor out of the Cleveland Browns, then he will be considered a legend.

Owner Dee Haslam hugged him immediately before Jackson stepped into the circle.