The Cleveland Browns and Kevin Stefanski have been looking to hire 49ers defensive backs coach Joe Woods since last month. With the playoffs now over, they will finally get their chance to bring him in as defensive coordinator.
The Cleveland Browns newest coaching staff is nearly complete.
Led by new head coach and offensive mind Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland’s final piece has fallen into place as of Monday morning. First reported by Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the Browns will be hiring Joe Woods of the San Francisco 49ers as their defensive coordinator.
The Browns have publicly had their eyes on Woods for some time now, but the 49ers’ playoff run prevented them from actually bringing him onto the staff. Now, the Browns will act quickly to acquire Woods and add the final major piece of their coaching puzzle.
Now that the #SBLIV is over, the #Browns are definitely hiring #49ers assistant Joe Woods as their defensive coordinator, a league source tells clevelanddotcom. Should be official soon https://t.co/PkDFmXll9r
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) February 3, 2020
Woods was tremendous under San Francisco coaches Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh this season. Although it didn’t end in a Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs, the 49ers’ fantastic season was anchored by their defense, highlighted by veteran cornerback Richard Sherman and Defensive Rookie of the Year Nick Bosa.
Now, Joe Woods will have the chance to cultivate his own defense inside the Dawg Pound. Denzel Ward, Myles Garrett, and others will be under new tutelage this season.
Only time will tell if Woods is the real deal, but with his track record, things are definitely looking up.