New Faces in Different Places p.3

Just a little over a month ago there were seven coaching vacancies opened (Texans, Titans, Buccaneers, Redskins, Lions, Vikings, Browns). Now all those positions have been filled.

By Ryan Fox -- @Spider_Fox87

Up to that point, there were many speculations on who was going to be the next Cleveland Browns head coach. Some speculated that Denver Broncos defensive coordinator would take the job. Others thought New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, an Ohio native, or Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles would take the position. Instead all three coordinators turned the job down. For a while it seemed like nobody want the Cleveland Browns’ head coach. 

But that changed this past Thursday. former Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator, Mike Pettine, was brought in and hired to be the franchise’s 18th head coach.

For those who are not familiar with Mike Pettine, he first broke into the NFL coaching ranks back in 2002 when he was hired to be a coaching assistant in the Baltimore Ravens’ franchise. Then in 2004 Pettine was promoted to assistant defensive line coach before getting another promotion as the Ravens’ linebacker coach from 2005-2008 when Rex Ryan was the team’s defensive coordinator.

Then in 2009 when Rex Ryan became the head coach of the New York Jets, he brought over Pettine with him to be the team’s defensive coordinator. Under Pettine that year, the Jets’ defense were able to finish 1st in points allowed (14.8 ppg), 8th in rushing defense (98.6 ypg) and 1st against the pass (153.7 ypg) to be the league’s number one overall defense (252.3 ypg). Then for the next three years, the Jets always finished in the top 10 overall defenses ( 3rd overall in 2010, 5th overall in 2011, and 8th overall in 2012).

After his contract expired at the end of the 2012 season, Pettine then signed on with the Buffalo Bills to be their defensive coordinator for the 2013 season.

Under Pettine, the Bills were able to finish 10th in overall defense (333.4 ypg) including 28th against the run (128.9 ypg), 4th against the pass (204.4 ypg), and 20th in points allowed (24.2 ppg). However the Bills defense finished the season with 57.0 sacks and 23 interceptions (both are 2nd overall in NFL in their respective categories). The 57.0 sacks the Bills had were new franchise single season record and also included 3 defenders with 10+ sacks. (DE Mario Williams 13.5, DT Kyle Williams 10.5, DE Jerry Hughes 10.0)

Going into Cleveland, Pettine will have the hard task of turning a team around that finished 4-12. He’ll be under further pressure since the last head coach, Mike Chudzinski, only lasted just one season before getting the ax. The good news for Pettine is that the Browns have two first round picks going into the 2014 (4th overall and overall from the Indianapolis Colts from the Trent Richardson trade). Pettine was able to turn around two horrible defenses and make them both very respectable. Turning a whole team around will be something else.