Shurmur and Heckert fired (ESPN)

[MoFlo]

From Florio:

In June, when former Eagles president Joe Banner appeared on PFT Live to discuss his plans for the future, he said he intends to land with a team that requires a turnaround.

There’s no way to turnaround the Browns without turning the page on the current regime. And, as reported Saturday night by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, we’re told that’s precisely what will happen promptly after Sunday’s game at Pittsburgh: Both coach Pat Shurmur and G.M. Tom Heckert will become former employees of the franchise.

Per a league source with knowledge of the situation, Banner and new owner Jimmy Haslam won’t be launching an exhaustive nationwide search after cleaning house. Instead, they already have a very focused and narrow list of coach and G.M. candidates, who will be quickly lined up for interviews.

It’s possible, but not probable, that the Browns could have a new coach in place by the end of the week. If that happens, it would remove from the final equation candidates like Josh McDaniels (who will be working for at least one more weekend with the Patriots) and Nick Saban (who has a date with the Irish next Monday night).

Some think that Haslam hopes to make a big splash. Others think Banner will want a coach with less name recognition, which would arguably give Banner more authority over the operation.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/12/30/browns-have-focused-their-search-on-a-narrow-group/

 

[MoFlo]

OK, let's concentrate this thread on news/updates on the firings, etc... No reason to go into detail on Heckert's picks or Shurmur's ineptness in this particular thread.

 

[MGMT]

OK, let's concentrate this thread on news/updates on the firings, etc... No reason to go into detail on Heckert's picks or Shurmur's ineptness in this particular thread.

Ineptitude

I'm more curious about a personnel guy than I am a coach at the moment, to be honest.

 

[Noonan]

Some think that Haslam hopes to make a big splash.

Bill Cowher.

 

[AZ_]

Insert retread who has no interest in the Browns.

 

[MDLT]

This idea that Banner is making a push to gain more authority seems kind of crazy. Either the plan should have been that he will be given that authority, or it should have been clear he won't have that sort of hold on the organization. I assume Haslam and Banner on the same page in where they see the organization going, but if not - wow.

 

[The Oi]

Fassel? Fox? Wannstedt?

 

[Urban]

Probably been posted but heard some NFL teams might look at Bill O'Brien at Penn State.

 

[JMcCurry08]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/fox8news">fox8news</a> cameras recorded <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Browns">#Browns</a> head coach Pat Shurmur leaving the <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Browns">#Browns</a> facility carrying boxes out to his car.See the video 2nite.</p>&mdash; P.J. ZIEGLER (@PJFOX8) <a href="https://twitter.com/PJFOX8/status/285557637226065921" data-datetime="2012-12-31T01:27:00+00:00">December 31, 2012</a></blockquote>
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[Noonan]

Insert retread who has no interest in the Browns.

I actually think the Browns need a retread. Having a coach who isn't learning on the job would be a nice change. The team is young enough. A veteran head coach is needed. Kind of like what the Cavs have gotten from Scott.

 

[AZ_]

I actually think the Browns need a retread. Having a coach who isn't learning on the job would be a nice change. The team is young enough. A veteran head coach is needed. Kind of like what the Cavs have gotten from Scott.

You can be young and understand the job.

This team needs an innovative offensive mind while they continue to build this defense.

 

[BlueSeats626]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/fox8news">fox8news</a> cameras recorded <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Browns">#Browns</a> head coach Pat Shurmur leaving the <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Browns">#Browns</a> facility carrying boxes out to his car.See the video 2nite.</p>— P.J. ZIEGLER (@PJFOX8) <a href="https://twitter.com/PJFOX8/status/285557637226065921" data-datetime="2012-12-31T01:27:00+00:00">December 31, 2012</a></blockquote>
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More than likely boxes of game film. He probably wants to start preparing for OTA's early. What a great coach!

 

[GonzoRatso88]

The OBR just reported that Pat Shurmur has been relieved of his duties as head coach. This was reported at 8:42 PM. The status of Heckert has not been reported yet.

 

[Pyro]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/fox8news">fox8news</a> cameras recorded <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Browns">#Browns</a> head coach Pat Shurmur leaving the <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Browns">#Browns</a> facility carrying boxes out to his car.See the video 2nite.</p>— P.J. ZIEGLER (@PJFOX8) <a href="https://twitter.com/PJFOX8/status/285557637226065921" data-datetime="2012-12-31T01:27:00+00:00">December 31, 2012</a></blockquote>
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"See the footage tonight". Christ, the guy lost his job, leave the man alone.

 

[Noonan]

You can be young and understand the job.

This team needs an innovative offensive mind while they continue to build this defense.

Gotcha. So you want an "innovative offensive mind" over a coach who has won a Super Bowl. Makes perfect sense. Why go for tangible results when you can have someone who offers unproven innovation?

I was merely pointing out that Cowher would be the biggest splash that Haslam could make. And while you may yawn at it, the Browns fan base would be delirious.