SATURDAY, 11:10am: The Browns have officially announced the resignation of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. The organization also confirmed that they would not be retaining quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains.
Coach Mike Pettine released a statement:
“After conversations with Kyle this week we’ve determined that it would be in the best interest of the Cleveland Browns that he pursue other opportunities and we have accepted his resignation. In Dowell’s case, it was a difficult decision but one that we felt we had to make. We wish them both well. Our focus quickly turns to finding an outstanding coach to lead our offense and I am confident we will bring in highly qualified individuals to help us develop, improve, and achieve the success we are all seeking. I look forward to working with the staff as we go through this process to bring in coaches committed to helping the Cleveland Browns lay a strong foundation to take our offense to a consistently high level in the 2015 season and beyond.”
Shanahan also released a statement:
“I appreciate the opportunity Mike Pettine, Ray Farmer and Jimmy Haslam gave me to lead the Browns offense in 2014. The Browns organization is committed to improvement and winning. I regret how the inner workings of the organization were represented publicly over the last few days. Ray and Mike both have the work ethic, experience and talent to work together to turn this organization into a winner. In light of the circumstances, I have decided to resign. I’m grateful for my time with the Browns and wish them great success going forward.”
THURSDAY, 9:57am: Marvez clarifies (via Twitter) that Shanahan asked for his release from the Browns, while Loggains was fired.
9:41am: The Browns are parting ways with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan after just one season in Cleveland, a source tells Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (Twitter links). According to Marvez, an announcement of the move is “imminent,” and quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains will be let go as well. Per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (via Twitter), after it became clear that Shanahan wanted out of Cleveland, he sat down with owner Jimmy Haslam and they agreed to part ways.
During his single season with the Browns, Shanahan oversaw an offense whose effectiveness declined over the course of the season, ultimately finishing 24th in DVOA, per Football Outsiders. Quarterback Brian Hoyer led the team to a 6-3 record to start the year, throwing 10 touchdowns to just four interceptions, but struggled in the second half, throwing two TDs and nine INTs in his final five appearances. First-round rookie Johnny Manziel was even worse in his lone start.
Now that he has moved on from the Browns, Shanahan is a good bet to land an offensive coordinator job elsewhere, and is even viewed as a head coaching candidate for a couple teams. Shanahan is reportedly set to interview today for the Bills’ head coaching job, and has been cited as a potential target for the 49ers, though it doesn’t appear the two sides have scheduled a meeting yet.
A few teams with head coaching openings have been eyeing Shanahan and his father Mike Shanahan as a potential package deal, with the elder Shanahan as a head coaching target and the younger Shanahan as the potential OC. However, multiple reports have indicated Kyle may prefer to chart his own course. As we heard last night, Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn figures to have interest in Kyle Shanahan as his offensive coordinator if he lands a head coaching job with the Jets or elsewhere.
As for the Browns, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports points out (via Twitter) that the team interviewed Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter for its head coaching job a year ago, as well as talking to Raiders quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo about its offensive coordinator job. Those could be names to watch as the club looks to hire a new OC.