Cleveland Browns hire Hue Jackson as head coach

The Cleveland Browns have hired Hue Jackson as their head coach.

The Cleveland Browns have hired Hue Jackson as their head coach, the team announced Wednesday.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the Browns and Jackson were finalizing a deal. 

Jackson served as offensive coordinator of the Bengals since 2014. The Browns fired head coach, Mike Pettine, after he led the team to a 10–22 record over two seasons. 

Jackson is widely credited with improving the play of Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton. The former second-round pick posted career highs in completion percentage, yards per attempt and passer rating in 2015. 

Bengals offensive tackle and captain Andrew Whitworth praised his former coach in a text to NFL Network’s Albert Breer after learning Jackson was headed to Cleveland. 

Text from Bengals OT/captain Andrew Whitworth on what the Browns are getting in new head coach Hue Jackson ... pic.twitter.com/NPEGiRerNX

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 13, 2016

Jackson, 50, was head coach of the Oakland Raiders in 2011, posting an 8–8 record in his lone season at the helm. He has also served as offensive coordinator for the Raiders, Falcons, Redskins and USC Trojans.

- Rohan Nadkarni