<![CDATA[Lerner reaching out to Holmgren]]>Source: Holmgren on Browns' wish list

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By Adam Schefter

ESPN

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One of the first people Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner will contact to run his team, if he hasn't contacted him already, is former Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren, according to a team source.

Holmgren is itching to return to football and the opportunity he would have in Cleveland would be an attractive one. Lerner is looking for someone to perform for the Browns the same role that vice president of football operations Bill Parcells performs for the Dolphins. The job, for the time being, is Holmgren's to lose.

[+] EnlargeMike Holmgren

AP Photo/John FroschauerMike Holmgren would have a broad array of powers with the Browns, similar to those VP of football operations Bill Parcells has with the Dolphins.

If Holmgren were to take it -- and there are some people who think he still would prefer to coach -- he would be returning to the Midwest, where he built his reputation as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers.

Holmgren is one of at least four names on Lerner's wish list, though he is considered the top target. The others are former New York Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi, Atlanta Falcons president Rich McKay and former Packers general manager Ron Wolf.

Accorsi is a family friend of the Lerners who has made it clear that he will not take a full-time job with the Browns. Accorsi was close to Lerner's father, and the Browns owner has an emotional attachment to and great respect for Accorsi. McKay serves in the same type of role in Atlanta that he would be asked to do in Cleveland. Wolf hired Holmgren as the Packers' head coach.

Lerner will offer whoever takes the job a broad array of powers. One of the chief ones will be the ability to hire whom the person wants as his general manager, in the same way that Parcells hired Jeff Ireland as the Dolphins general manager. Even though the Browns and their former general manager George Kokinis parted ways last week, Lerner has no plans right now to do away with his head coach, Eric Mangini.

Those who have spoken with Lerner in the past week said the Browns owner is determined to stick with Mangini for the time being, giving him the time that Kokinis did not get. Kokinis spent 18 years with the Baltimore Ravens, and nine months with the Browns.

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Ultimately, Lerner might not even make the final call on Mangini -- it likely will be up to the team president and general manager that he hires. They will be the ones to determine whether to keep or dispose of Mangini, who is coming under heavy criticism in the Cleveland area for leading the team to a 1-7 record with an offense that has scored one fewer touchdown this season than the New Orleans Saints defense that has six. Those who know Kokinis say he expected to be let go from Cleveland at least one month ago. The Browns even tried to get him to resign long before last week.

Kokinis had grown so disconnected to Mangini and other members of the Browns front office that the two rarely, if ever, had any contact. Kokinis grew increasingly withdrawn to the point where he looked and acted so unhappy, the Browns ordered him into counseling, according to sources.

Essentially, the two sides divorced long before it became official last week.

What's next for Kokinis depends largely on when he and the Browns will be able to resolve their contractual differences. But Kokinis has a sterling reputation around the league, and is highly respected amongst numerous front-office men. He will have no difficulty landing a job, and it's quite possible he could return to Baltimore, where he still owns a home. Many around the league believe he will be back with the Ravens.

Adam Schefter is ESPN's NFL Insider.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/topic/8534/lerner-reaching-out-to-holmgrenRSS for NodeFri, 02 Oct 2026 21:04:36 GMTSun, 08 Nov 2009 17:11:57 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Lerner reaching out to Holmgren on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:47:15 GMT]]>

@supersteelers said:

Not many winners on that draft list

Compared to what the Browns have done the last 10 years, it's positively stellar. Wow, imagine drafting guys in the first round that can actually play in the NFL.

Shall we pull up a Steeler draft list from the Bubby Brister era?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/135696https://brownsboard.com/post/135696Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:47:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lerner reaching out to Holmgren on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:41:25 GMT]]>

@tampadawgs said:

I live in Tampa, and Chucky was kicked out of Tampa. He was really bad.

He did take Dungy Team to the SuperBowl

And the defense he did not touch, because it was Kiffens defense

Well, there's Steeler fans that aren't exactly enamored of Cowher either. Gruden's taken two different franchises to the Super Bowl, he's an Ohio guy- born in Sandusky and University of Dayton grad, and trust me Browns fans would be deliriously happy if Jon led the Browns to back to back 9-7 seasons like he did in Tampa before he got canned.

I also got a feeling he'd take the Browns HC job if it got offered to him.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/135695https://brownsboard.com/post/135695Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:41:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lerner reaching out to Holmgren on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:23:29 GMT]]>I live in Tampa, and Chucky was kicked out of Tampa. He was really bad.

He did take Dungy Team to the SuperBowl

And the defense he did not touch, because it was Kiffens defense

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/135691https://brownsboard.com/post/135691Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:23:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lerner reaching out to Holmgren on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:22:23 GMT]]>

nmills said:

Holmgren's draft history while GM of Seattle

2002

1.28 TE Jerramy Stevens Washington

2.22 RB Maurice Morris Oregon

2.28 DL Anton Palepoi Nevada-Las Vegas

3.20 DB Kris Richard Southern California

4.22 DB Terreal Bierria Georgia

5.11 DL Rocky Bernard Texas A&M

5.34 TE Ryan Hannam Northern Iowa

5.36 OL Matt Hill Boise State

6.22 P Craig Jarrett Michigan State

7.21 QB Jeff Kelly Southern Mississippi

2001

1.09 WR Koren Robinson North Carolina State

1.17 OL Steve Hutchinson Michigan

2.09 DB Ken Lucas Mississippi

3.20 RB Heath Evans Auburn

4.09 LB Orlando Huff Fresno State

4.32 DB Curtis Fuller Texas Christian

4.33 OL Floyd Womack Mississippi State

5.09 WR Alex Bannister Eastern Kentucky

6.09 QB Josh Booty Louisiana State

7.10 DB Harold Blackmon Northwestern

7.22 OL Dennis Norman Princeton

7.37 DL Kris Kocurek Texas Tech

2000

1.19 RB Shaun Alexander Alabama

1.22 OL Chris McIntosh Wisconsin

2.21 DB Ike Charlton Virginia Tech

3.18 WR Darrell Jackson Florida

4.22 LB Marcus Bell Arizona

4.25 LB Isaiah Kacyvenski Harvard

6.09 WR James Williams Marshall

6.19 DL Tim Watson Rowan

6.24 DL John Hilliard Mississippi State

1999

1.22 DL Lamar King Saginaw Valley

3.16 QB Brock Huard Washington

3.21 WR Karsten Bailey Auburn

4.20 DL Antonio Cochran Georgia

6.01 DB Steve Johnson

Not many winners on that draft list

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/135688https://brownsboard.com/post/135688Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:22:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lerner reaching out to Holmgren on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:55:02 GMT]]>

@blowe said:

Source: Holmgren on Browns' wish list

Adam Schefter is ESPN's NFL Insider.

He was last asked to relinquish his GM role and just concentrate on being a Head Coach. I've heard that was because the GM thing wasn't going over well. Once he concentrated on just being the Head Coach again - Seattle went to the Superbowl.

MAYBE he'd do better if he didn't have to spend 50% of his time coaching with such a role.

- Tom F.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/135684https://brownsboard.com/post/135684Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:55:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lerner reaching out to Holmgren on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:43:11 GMT]]>

@bonedawg said:

Lerner better consult Cleveland Mike before making such a big move.

DSC03129.jpg

This guy is a douche nozzle... i hate to say that about a fellow bron fan but..eek! And who the hell is the other guy thats always around him?..is it his dad?..is he mute?..he is like silent bob..only not cool.

I shouldnt make fun of "special" people i know..but man if this is the guy people think we all are...umm..you get where im going with this.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/135375https://brownsboard.com/post/135375Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:43:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lerner reaching out to Holmgren on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:15:35 GMT]]>Lerner better consult Cleveland Mike before making such a big move.

DSC03129.jpg

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/135374https://brownsboard.com/post/135374Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:15:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lerner reaching out to Holmgren on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:30:56 GMT]]>

nmills said:

If Holmgen becomes our President of football operations maybe he looks at one of his best friends Steve Mariucci as GM, and Jon Gruden as coach. They were all on the same staff in Greenbay.

1992-coaches.jpg

Mike Holmgren's first Packers coaching staff, in 1992, contained five future head coaches: Jon Gruden, Dick Jauron, Steve Mariucci, Andy Reid and Ray Rhodes.

Its a spin off for The Brady Bunch

Im very excited about this potential hire.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/135372https://brownsboard.com/post/135372Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:30:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lerner reaching out to Holmgren on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:21:21 GMT]]>Great staff indeed...but awful picture layout..sheesh nice nikes BTW.

DOh!

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/135370https://brownsboard.com/post/135370Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:21:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lerner reaching out to Holmgren on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:25:34 GMT]]>

nmills said:

If Holmgen becomes our President of football operations maybe he looks at one of his best friends Steve Mariucci as GM, and Jon Gruden as coach. They were all on the same staff in Greenbay.

1992-coaches.jpg

Mike Holmgren's first Packers coaching staff, in 1992, contained five future head coaches: Jon Gruden, Dick Jauron, Steve Mariucci, Andy Reid and Ray Rhodes.

Chucky is like 11 years old.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/135366https://brownsboard.com/post/135366Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:25:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lerner reaching out to Holmgren on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:51:32 GMT]]>If Holmgen becomes our President of football operations maybe he looks at one of his best friends Steve Mariucci as GM, and Jon Gruden as coach. They were all on the same staff in Greenbay.

1992-coaches.jpg

Mike Holmgren's first Packers coaching staff, in 1992, contained five future head coaches: Jon Gruden, Dick Jauron, Steve Mariucci, Andy Reid and Ray Rhodes.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/135364https://brownsboard.com/post/135364Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:51:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lerner reaching out to Holmgren on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:38:52 GMT]]>The question needs to be asked: why was Holmgren removed from his GM duties in Seattle?

Because he wasn't good? Or to concentrate on coaching?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/135362https://brownsboard.com/post/135362Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:38:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lerner reaching out to Holmgren on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:26:39 GMT]]>Yeah, when I heard about this, I was really pleased. That would be a great solution, one would think. I only wonder whether this is such a tempting situation for Holmgren.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/135360https://brownsboard.com/post/135360Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:26:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lerner reaching out to Holmgren on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:24:41 GMT]]>Holmgren's draft history while GM of Seattle

2002

1.28 TE Jerramy Stevens Washington

2.22 RB Maurice Morris Oregon

2.28 DL Anton Palepoi Nevada-Las Vegas

3.20 DB Kris Richard Southern California

4.22 DB Terreal Bierria Georgia

5.11 DL Rocky Bernard Texas A&M

5.34 TE Ryan Hannam Northern Iowa

5.36 OL Matt Hill Boise State

6.22 P Craig Jarrett Michigan State

7.21 QB Jeff Kelly Southern Mississippi

2001

1.09 WR Koren Robinson North Carolina State

1.17 OL Steve Hutchinson Michigan

2.09 DB Ken Lucas Mississippi

3.20 RB Heath Evans Auburn

4.09 LB Orlando Huff Fresno State

4.32 DB Curtis Fuller Texas Christian

4.33 OL Floyd Womack Mississippi State

5.09 WR Alex Bannister Eastern Kentucky

6.09 QB Josh Booty Louisiana State

7.10 DB Harold Blackmon Northwestern

7.22 OL Dennis Norman Princeton

7.37 DL Kris Kocurek Texas Tech

2000

1.19 RB Shaun Alexander Alabama

1.22 OL Chris McIntosh Wisconsin

2.21 DB Ike Charlton Virginia Tech

3.18 WR Darrell Jackson Florida

4.22 LB Marcus Bell Arizona

4.25 LB Isaiah Kacyvenski Harvard

6.09 WR James Williams Marshall

6.19 DL Tim Watson Rowan

6.24 DL John Hilliard Mississippi State

1999

1.22 DL Lamar King Saginaw Valley

3.16 QB Brock Huard Washington

3.21 WR Karsten Bailey Auburn

4.20 DL Antonio Cochran Georgia

6.01 DB Steve Johnson

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/135359https://brownsboard.com/post/135359Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:24:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Lerner reaching out to Holmgren on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:13:16 GMT]]>between Accorsi and Holmgren it looks like Lerner is pushing for someone who knows what the hell they are doing, which is a pleasant surprise. I would be thrilled with having Holmgren at any level in the organization regardless to what it is

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/135356https://brownsboard.com/post/135356Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:13:16 GMT