Two years ago, Mike Pettine was tabbed to get things turned around in Cleveland. It turns out, two years is all the organization was willing to give him. The organization met with Pettine at 7pm tonight to deliver the news.
General Manager Ray Farmer has also been relieved of his duties, marking a continued trend of huge turnover at the GM position for the organization.
Pettine's first season with the Browns in 2014 was also his first season as a head coach at the NFL level, and he led the Browns to an impressive 7-9 record. 2015 was a very different story, filled with controversy at quarterback, and off season storylines surrounding quarterback Johnny Manziel. Pettine's squad managed just three wins in year two.
Prior to leading the Browns, Pettine served as a defensive coordinator with the New York Jets (2009-2012) and Buffalo Bills (2013) also spending a number of seasons with the Baltimore Ravens in various capacities during their defensive heyday. Before coming to the NFL, Pettine served as a head high school head coach at William Tennent HS (PA) and North Penn HS (PA).
With the past decade of head coaches as a barometer, Cleveland is clearly looking for someone who will come in and win immediately. Dating back to 2009, the franchise has not held the same coach for more than two seasons. Eric Mangini led the franchise in 2009 and 2010, then Pat Shurmur was brought in from 2011 to 2012, followed by one season under Rob Chudzinski in 2013 before Pettine took over in 2014.
In fact, the only head coaches in franchise history that have lasted over five years are Paul Brown (1946-1962), Blaton Collier (1963-1970), and Sam Rutigliano (1978-1984). No coach since the mid 80's has lasted more than five seasons with the Cleveland organization.
Finding a quality candidate willing to work on such a short leash is going to be a tall order for the franchise.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.