BEREA, Ohio (AP) -Rejected by his top coaching choice, Cleveland owner Randy Lerner has turned his attention to finding a front-office mind to fix the Browns.
As quickly as possible.
Before firing coach Romeo Crennel on Monday, Lerner, who also dismissed general manager Phil Savage after a miserable 4-12 season, was turned down by former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher during an informal weekend meeting in New York.
Lerner didn’t even get a chance to drop Cowher’s formidable jaw with a staggering contract offer.
Cowher, who initiated the get together, told Lerner he isn’t ready to get back into coaching and is enjoying his life outside the NFL grind working as a TV analyst.
his position. It wasn’t a dance.”
Lerner’s next move is to bring in an experienced NFL executive. He has received permission to interview Scott Pioli, New England’s vice president of player personnel who has helped build the Patriots into a perennial power and may be ready to step outside of coach Bill Belichick’s sizable shadow.
The 43-year-old Pioli, who began his pro career in Cleveland as a personnel assistant in 1992, figures to be on the radar of several teams. Lerner knows it’s important to act fast if he wants to get his man, or in this case, men.
“What you need to do is be nimble and move as quickly as you possibly can,” he said. “I think it’s imperfect, given this particular situation where you have two openings. You’ve got to be very sensitive and nervous about the idea of missing out – and I am.”
Pioli does not have final authority on personnel decisions with the Patriots, a power reserved for Belichick. Pioli would surely be offered full control by Lerner, who appreciated Savage’s ability to upgrade Cleveland’s talent but was disappointed by the GM’s overall management style.
Lerner doesn’t seem concerned that Pioli has not been in complete control of a football operations department before.
he right time of life for him. He’s a fundamentally good guy.”
Pioli has ties to Cleveland. He’s good friends with Indians general manager Mark Shapiro. The pair began their professional careers in the city and Shapiro has had Pioli speak to the Indians during spring training in Florida about the importance of teamwork and commitment.
Lerner intends to interview with another front office exec, but wouldn’t divulge his name for competitive purposes.
Lerner is not permitted to interview any potential candidates who are with playoff-bound teams until their seasons end. He said would be interested in speaking with Bill Parcells – Pioli’s father-in-law – if he leaves the Miami Dolphins and to former Seattle coach Mike Holmgren. But Lerner has been told Holmgren intends to take a year off.
Atlanta president Rich McKay also is believed to be on Lerner’s short list.
As for his coaching search, Lerner said Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, a 32-year-old native of Canton, Ohio, was on a list that likely includes New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Tennessee defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
by the New York Jets. Mangini began his pro career as an intern with Cleveland in the 1990s.
Lerner will abide by the league’s Rooney Rule and interview at least one minority candidate. He said two interviews are being planned.
The camera-shy Lerner, who held his press conference without electronic media or photographers present, is determined to get his next round of hirings right. He feels responsible for the failures of Savage and Crennel, who were both new to their positions when they were hired in 2005. He doesn’t consider the past four years a waste and feels the Browns can attract talent despite their troubles.
“I would like to think we have some things to show for it in terms of a much improved roster,” he said. “I would like to think that we are a more compelling organization to come to be a part of than we were four years ago. But, yeah, it’s my responsibility. There’s absolutely no question about it.”
Crennel lost 40 games in four seasons, never made the playoffs and went 0-8 against Pittsburgh, the only full-time Cleveland coach to go winless against the archrival Steelers.
rek Anderson, dropped passes by wide receiver Braylon Edwards and turmoil. Tight end Kellen Winslow got into a nasty disagreement with Savage over his hospitalization for a staph infection, Anderson was benched and Quinn got into a fight in the weight room with defensive end Shaun Smith.
“This has been a crazy year, starting with the injuries,” Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas said. “It seems like every bit of adversity you could possibly have happened to us. It felt like it was one thing after the other.”
Although Crennel’s dismissal was expected, Lerner waited until after the season out of respect for the former defensive coordinator.
“Romeo was a gentleman through and through,” said Lerner, who met with the coach Monday morning. “He was gracious to a fault.”
Crennel told Lerner he may be willing to stay with the team in another coaching capacity.
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