Mangini fired

[OconRecon]

All over Twitter.

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NFL.com news: Browns fire Mangini after promising start to season turns south

The Cleveland Browns fired coach Eric Mangini on Monday following back-to-back 5-11 seasons.

Mangini met with Browns president Mike Holmgren on Monday in what many anticipated would mark the end the coach's tenure in Cleveland.


It is unclear whether Holmgren will step into the role himself or hire someone else to do the job. John Fox, Jon Gruden and Marty Mornhinweg have all been mentioned as candidates.

In his final postgame press conference as coach of the Browns (5-11), Eric Mangini told reporters Sunday, "Thanks for being patient with me. I tried to be better this year."

Sunday's 41-9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers dropped Mangini's record with the Browns to 10-22 in two seasons.

The Browns improved in several statistical areas in 2010, but went 2-6 following surprising upsets over the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots. They were unable to sustain the momentum, dropping their last four games, including three losses to division opponents.

Players came to Mangini's defense before and after the Pittsburgh loss.

"This is my ninth year and I've never been a part of something like this," defensive end Kenyon Coleman told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "This team is a family."

Josh Cribbs also spoke out for Mangini: "I feel like one man can only do so much," he said. "This is the biggest team sport there is. You're asking one man in two years to turn a football team that hasn't been winning into one of the greatest football teams. I mean, it takes some time.

"I believe in what (Mangini) stands for. It's hard to make a change. I'm tired of rebuilding."


For more on the Cleveland Browns, check out the latest from our bloggers.

Cribbs said that Mangini told the team after the loss that he loved and appreciated them.

"We went out there and played hard for him throughout the year," said Cribbs. "He was appreciative of the opportunity we gave him."

Mangini -- who started in the NFL as a 23-year-old ball boy with the Browns during Bill Belichick's tenure with the team -- was introduced as coach in January 2009. His team started 1-11 before reeling off four wins -- including a shocker over Pittsburgh -- to close the 2009 season, a surge that impressed the newly hired Holmgren enough to give Mangini a second year. On Monday, Holmgren decided against a third.

Mangini previously served as coach of the New York Jets from 2006 to 2008, where he went 23-25 and made the playoffs once in three seasons.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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From the ClevelandBrowns.com...

Browns make coaching change
-Posted 11 minutes ago

Team president Mike Holmgren has relieved Eric Mangini of his head coaching duties, the team announced Monday morning.
Eric Mangini was relieved of his duties as head coach of the Cleveland Browns today, the team announced.

“This decision was not easy for me, and it was one into which I put a great deal of thought,” said Browns President Mike Holmgren. “Although we have made improvements this season, my responsibility is to ensure that we establish a program that will allow this team to compete at a championship level. That will continue to be our goal in everything we do. I want to thank Eric for all of his contributions to the Cleveland Browns, and wish him and his family the best of luck in the future.”

“The experience coaching the Cleveland Browns the past two years has been tremendous,” Mangini said. “I appreciate the opportunity that the Lerner family gave me. I have a deep respect for the players that I have coached the past two years and how they have made a profound difference in changing the culture - a tougher, smarter, more competitive, selfless team that never gave up. Our goal was to build a team for long term success. The core characteristics we were dedicated to, I believe, will help achieve that goal, and have provided a strong identity for this football team and have helped to create a positive foundation upon which the organization can continue to build.

“I feel strongly that the Cleveland Browns are headed in a very positive direction and greatly value the commitment and exceptional efforts of the coaches, players and everyone in the building that I’ve worked with in trying to help achieve our goals. My family and I have thoroughly enjoyed living in the Cleveland community and appreciate the support and passion of the fans. I know Mike and Tom are also dedicated to building a championship caliber organization and wish them nothing but success.”

[Riffer X]

WKNR is claiming Walrus doesn't want to coach, so this would refute Grossi's assertion---I know, shocker.

If I had to bet, I would say Mohrninweg.

[OconRecon]

Man, I thought our choices were Holmgren, Mangini, or Gruden. I hope Peter King is wrong on Morhninweg.

Lions leftovers. Sheesh.

[Masters]

I am listening to 850 WKNR all morning. They haven't refuted anything. They have simply been kicking around whether Holmgren will coach, or he will hire someone. Noting that should be the first question at Holmgren's presser at 1pm today, and he should come clean on his plan.

I do agree in thinking Grossi and others have been wrong that Holmgren will step in and coach. I don't believe he truly wants to go through the grind and hours of being a HC

[OconRecon]

NFL Network's Albert Breer just now saying:

"Heard league buzz recently as yesterday linking Gruden to Cleveland. As I've heard it, Gruden helped sell Holmgren on Colt McCoy last spring"

Twitter

[OconRecon]

Then this from LaCanforna:

"The Browns love Gruden and he has some interest. But it may not be the perfect fit in terms of offensive personnel and locale

From what I've gathered on the Browns situation, I see John Fox landing there as head coach with Mike McCoy as offensive coordinator"

Twitter

[Masters]

Mortenson reporting that CLE will go through a full interview process before deciding on a new coach.

[Riffer X]

They brought up a good point in that Holmgren technically is going to have to go through the interview process, not just immediately call himself coach. I don't think the presser is going ot tell us much.

[Masters]

On technically having to go through the whole interview process because of the Rooney rule, that's actually in question. There might be an exception if he was planning to step in himself. But the league wouldn't comment on it yesterday.

Personally I think he is going through the whole process because he doesn't really want to coach again.

[Riffer X]

I think they have to do the Rooney Rule, but I don't think it is confirmed either. I have a feeling it may take awhile to for this decision, as Walrus may look extensively and if he is not satisfied, then he steps in.

Ah, who the hell am I kidding I sound like Shep----I have no clue.

[Masters]

I completely agree with you Riffer (except on you being Shep...lol). I think the interview process is to find someone, and if not satisfied, then Holmgren would step in.

[Masters]

Seneca Wallace quoted as saying Holmgren has told the players he will not coach the team.