Sports

Browns Fire Head Coach Freddie Kitchens

Ideastream Public Media - WCPN News | By Glenn Forbes

Published December 29, 2019 at 9:28 PM EST

The Cleveland Browns have fired head coach Freddie Kitchens after one season.

“We are disappointed in our results and feel a change is necessary,” said Browns General Manager John Dorsey in a statement.

Cleveland entered the season with high expectations after trading for receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

Instead, the Browns’ 33-23 loss to 2-14 Cincinnati Sunday dropped their record to 6-10.

“We thank Freddie for his hard work and commitment to this organization but did not see the success or opportunities for improvement to move forward with him as our head coach,” said owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam in a statement.

Kitchens was hired as head coach after a successful eight games as the team’s offensive coordinator in the 2018 season. Last year, the Browns fired head coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley after the first eight games.

“I would like to thank Freddie for his dedication and efforts this past season,” said Dorsey. “Freddie is a good man and good football coach. We wish he and his family nothing but success.”

Kitchens helped quarterback Baker Mayfield throw a rookie record 27 touchdown passes in 2018 with 14 interceptions. Mayfield struggled in 2019 with Kitchens as head coach, throwing 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.

This will mark the fifth head coaching search for the Haslams, who bought the Browns in 2012.

Browns’ head coaches under the Haslams:

2019 Freddie Kitchens

2018 Gregg Williams

2016-18 Hue Jackson

2014-15 Mike Pettine

2013 Rob Chudzinski

2012 Pat Shurmur (Shurmur was HC in 2011 before Haslams bought the Browns). — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 30, 2019

“Our focus is on hiring an exceptional leader for this football team and we will take a comprehensive approach to this process,” the Haslams’ statement read. “We are excited about the core players we have to build around and develop and we look forward to bringing in a strong head coach that will put this group of players in the best position to succeed.”