Report: Cleveland Browns release Gregg Williams
Minutes after the Cleveland Browns hired Freddie Kitchens as their ninth head coach since 1999, they made another coaching move. Defensive coordinator and interim head coach Gregg Williams has been relieved of his duties.
The Cleveland Browns are cleaning house, and remaking their coaching staff in the image of Freddie Kitchens.
Per ESPN’s Dan Graziano, former defensive coordinator and interim head coach of the Browns, Gregg Williams, has officially been released by the team.
This report came in just minutes after the Browns announced Kitchens as the head coach of the young franchise.
The Browns have relieved defensive coordinator Gregg Williams of his duties and he is no longer with the team, sources tell @PatMcManamon and me.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) January 9, 2019
Williams was brought the Browns before the 2017 season, as part of former head coach Hue Jackson’s staff. Jackson brought Williams on board as his defensive coordinator, and eventually, Williams was hired as interim head coach after Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley was fired.
As interim head coach, Williams led the Browns to a 5-3 record, ending the season at 7-8-1. The Cleveland Browns immediately changed, and began to light the NFL world on fire with rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield at the helm. Williams and interim offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens brought the Browns back from the brink, and out of the basement, and one of them has been rewarded.
At the end of the day, it’s easy to see why Williams was relieved of his duties with the Browns. As beat reporter Daryl Ruiter put it on 92.3 The Fan Cleveland sports radio, “there was no way he could subjugate his ego that much.”
Next. Freddie Kitchens hired as head coach. dark
And while that may be true, Williams put life back into the Browns during his eight games as head coach. Best of luck, Gregg Williams. You’ll certainly be getting multiple coaching offers now.