Browns get permission to talk to, hire Anthony Weaver to coach defensive line

Dec 1, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne (7) and Cleveland Browns defensive end Desmond Bryant (92) at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns and Mike Pettine have all but hired their defensive line coach.  The Buffalo Bills have granted the Browns permission to interview Anthony Weaver, which is a virtual certainty that he will be hired.  Weaver’s two years in the NFL are both under Pettine and this will be his third team in three seasons.

After playing seven years with the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans, the former Notre Dame defensive end went to Florida to be a graduate assistant under Urban Meyer.  After a year coaching linebackers at North Texas, Pettine hired Weaver coach the defensive line with the New York Jets.

Weaver coached the Bills defensive line that lead the league in sacks.  He will move from coaching Mario Williams, Marcel Dareus, Kyle Williams, and Alan Branch to take over another talented unit in Desmond Bryant, Phil Taylor, Billy Winn and John Hughes.

Weaver is yet another young coach at just 33 years old, which adds to a youth movement that has been commonplace under Pettine.