CLEVELAND — As he awaits the hiring of Cleveland’s new general manager, Browns coach Eric Mangini added five assistant coaches, four who were on his staff with the New York Jets.
Mangini hired defensive line coach Bryan Cox, defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson, defensive quality control coach Andy Dickerson, quarterbacks coach Carl Smith and assistant strength and conditioning coach Rick Lyle on Thursday.
Cox, Henderson, Dickerson and Lyle all spent the past three seasons on the Jets’ staff.
“These men are outstanding teachers and their energy and expertise will have an immediate impact on our team,” said Mangini, hired earlier this month just days after he was fired in New York.
Meanwhile, the Browns have not yet announced the hiring of George Kokinis as their GM. Kokinis, Baltimore’s pro personnel director for the past six seasons, is expected to join Cleveland this week. He had a second interview with Browns owner Randy Lerner on Wednesday and spent two days earlier this week meeting with Mangini.
Cox was an intimidating linebacker for 12 seasons in the NFL before becoming a coach. He played in 165 career games with Miami, Chicago, the Jets, New England and New Orleans. In 2006, Cox joined Mangini on the Jets’ coaching staff as the assistant defensive line coach.
Henderson played eight seasons as a defensive back with New England, Buffalo, Philadelphia and the Jets. He played in Super Bowls with the Bill and Patriots. He joined the Jets in 2006 as director of player development and was promoted to assistant defensive backs coach in 2007 before assuming the role of defensive backs coach in 2008.
Dickerson was on New England’s operations staff before joining the Jets in 2006.
This will be Smith’s second stint with the Browns. He was Cleveland’s quarterbacks coach under Butch Davis from 2001-03 before he went to USC and helped mentor Trojans QB Matt Leinart during his Heisman Trophy season. Smith spent the past two seasons as Jacksonville’s offensive coordinator.
Lyle played for 10 seasons with the Browns (1994-95), Baltimore, the Jets and Patriots before he got into coaching.
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