Browns, Lions fire coaches
Moribund franchises seemingly back to square 1... again
12/31/2013
Schwartz, Chudzinski.
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Jim Schwartz was hired to turn around the Detroit Lions, and he did it for three seasons.
He failed to keep the Lions going in the right direction over the next two years — and it cost him his job.
The Lions fired Schwartz on Monday, one day after their late-season slide ended with a loss at Minnesota. He had two years and nearly $12 million left on his contract.
BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and CEO Joe Banner said Monday that the team's lack of improvement led to their decision to fire coach Rob Chudzinski after one season, and that they're confident they can attract a top candidate despite the lack of recent job security.
Haslam said he feels it's a great job and that he's certain he can convince the candidates that the organization will support them. He said "the search will begin immediately.'' He added that it could take a week or a month, and that candidates could come in all forms (presumably meaning coordinators, college ranks, former head coaches, etc.).
Banner said they made the final decision on Chudzinski's firing on Saturday after they felt there were no signs the team would improve under him in 2014.