Interesting Similarities in Browns Defensive Coaching Hires

The Browns are expected to hire 49ers defensive rush coaching specialist Christ Kiffin soon. Chris is following Joe Woods to Cleveland who is returning to the Defensive Coordinator position he held in Denver.

Chris Kiffin is the brother to Lane Kiffin and has built a solid career coaching defensive line in both the college ranks and the NFL. Chris has some defensive coordinator experience in the college ranks with Florida Atlantic. In 2017 as a coach for Florida Atlantic, Chris Kiffin was named a finalist for the Broyles Award, recognizing college football’s top assistant coach.

The Browns are also expected to make the hiring of Fred Pagac official very soon. He will be hired in as the new Line Backers coach. Fred has ties to both HC Stephanski and DC Woods. He worked in Minnesota from 2006-2013, spending time in multiple positions including Defensive Coordinator. He was in Denver from 2015-2017 as a linebacker coach. Interesting similarity to Chris Kiffin, Fred was also a finalist for the Broyles Award in 1998.

Both of these potential hires are high quality coaches. They should be able to bring some great knowledge and professionalism to the defensive side of the ball. There definitely seems to be a set standard for the kind of coaches this group is going after. Both coaches having Coordinator experience and both being finalists for the Broyles Award. Time will tell if the results will be any different. There are not many fans left willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.

 

Sources:

https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/105974707/posts/41177

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Pagac

https://www.49ers.com/team/coaches-roster/chris-kiffin

https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/134896-chris-kiffin-leaving-49ers-join-woods-browns-report/