Freddie Kitchens: vaguely employed

[dark2332]

The Browns don’t need a Rolodex or pedigree.

They need someone who can get the most out of the elite talent along the DL.

Someone who can take pro athletes and get the most out of their ability at this level.

Lupoi doesn’t have THAT pedigree, which is why I’m underwhelmed.

Sure, but the quality of D-Line and linebacker prospects who have been coming out of Alabama these last few years—pro-ready guys who make an immediate impact—is at least something to make you feel a little hopeful.

Prior to DC, he coached outside backers, but he seems to have been involved all over the front seven.

 

[Sebastian]

Head Coach: Freddie Kitchens
Special Assistant to the Head Coach: Jody Wright

Offensive Coordinator: Todd Monken
Quarterbacks: Ryan Lindley
Running Backs/Run Game Coordinator: Stump Mitchell
Wide Receivers: Adam Henry
Tight Ends: TBD
Offensive Line/Associate Head Coach: James Campen
Assistant Offensive Line: TBD
Quality Control: Tyler Tettelton
Quality Control: Jim Dray

Defensive Coordinator: Steve Wilks
Defensive Line: Tosh Lupoi
Linebackers/Defensive Run Game Coordinator: Al Holcomb
TBD (Defensive Backs/Defensive Pass Game Coordinator?): Joe Whitt Jr.
Senior Defensive Specialist: Chris Jones
Quality Control: TBD
Quality Control: TBD

Special Teams Coordinator: Mike Priefer
Assistant Special Teams: TBD

A lot of cooks in that kitchen.

Whippin' up something special.

















































Seamon.

 

[Smooth]

The most impressive part to me...

The Browns just convinced a coach who was running an extremely successful CFL franchise and a very highly touted coach at NCAA's best program, to come to Cleveland as low profile coaches..

While Jones could have gotten a pay raise, he took a significant decrease in responsibility and authority to do so... Lupoi was in the running for several lower level Power 5 head coaching jobs over the course of several years, and had established himself as one of the nation's best recruiters...

These are two guys, at two different levels with extremely high levels of success wanting to come to Cleveland..

While Lupoi did have a reputation more so as a recruiter than a coach, DL had always been his strongsuit and tasking him with a position level coach should be manageable... I can't imagine Kitchens raided Saban's staff without permission, as Kitchens talked about Saban's influence/friendship during his press conference... With what's happening at Bama, it seems like perhaps a mutual parting by Saban & Lupoi, and Lupoi wanting to put his name in NFL circles or better position himself for a college job...

I don't have anything behind this, but it seems like Jody Wright and Chris Jones will be Kitchen's eyes and ears on offense and defense, being two close associates in coaching... By looking at their resumes, both are overqualified for the jobs they hold and likely will be an overseer of sorts on their respective sides, giving Kitchens an extra level of comfort...

Prior to, I know we all speculated on Kitchen's Arizona coaching connections and it didn't look pretty... As of now, this is starting to look like it has the potential for a 2001 Browns, Butch Davis esque staff that had Bruce Arians, Larry Zierlein, Todd Bowles, Chuck Pagano, Keith Butler and Jerry Rosburg...

One thing I am very impress, and encouraged with, is not only does a coach need to identify on-field talent, they need to identify off-field coaching talent... Not enough emphasis is placed on this as staffs change and evolve and the staff that is originally hired and lauded, is not the same in the end.. The key to longevity and great coaches, is being able to find good coaching talent and develop it throughout all the change... Thus far, it looks like Kitchens is off to a brilliant start...

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

The Browns don’t need a Rolodex or pedigree.

They need someone who can get the most out of the elite talent along the DL.

Someone who can take pro athletes and get the most out of their ability at this level.

Lupoi doesn’t have THAT pedigree, which is why I’m underwhelmed.

Well...Freddie himself didn't exactly have the right "pedigree" either. Every great coach got his start when he didn't have a pedigree. They just did a really good job when they finally got their shot, and developed their "pedigree" as a consequence.

Some of the guys Freddie has gotten do have that NFL pedigree. Wilks, Monken, Mitchell, Campen, Priefer, etc.. The other guys, like Lupoi, seem to have been very successful in the non-NFL roles they had. I think it's really positive that he's bringing in a mix of guys from different backgrounds - it's one way to keep new ideas flowing in. And even if it isn't the NFL, coming in from championship-quality teams can help develop a good culture.

I'm not sure it's realistic, or maybe even desireable, to have a staff consist only of veteran NFL coaches.

 

[Sebastian]

Well...Freddie himself didn't exactly have the right "pedigree" either. Every great coach got his start when he didn't have a pedigree. They just did a really good job when they finally got their shot, and developed their "pedigree" as a consequence.

Some of the guys Freddie has gotten do have that NFL pedigree. Wilks, Monken, Mitchell, Campen, Priefer, etc.. The other guys, like Lupoi, seem to have been very successful in the non-NFL roles they had. I think it's really positive that he's bringing in a mix of guys from different backgrounds - it's one way to keep new ideas flowing in. And even if it isn't the NFL, coming in from championship-quality teams can help develop a good culture.

I'm not sure it's realistic, or maybe even desireable, to have a staff consist only of veteran NFL coaches.

Pedigree is great for horses.

Winning is its own pedigree. Ask McVay whose coaching tree is rooted as shallow as a spruce at Point Barrow yet as desired as Fabio.

 

[Amherstcavsfan]

FYI, Lupoi was an extremely good DL coach at both Cal and Washington. Unfortunate that things ended so badly for him at UDUB because he had a real good thing going there.

 

[CBBI]

FYI, Lupoi was an extremely good DL coach at both Cal and Washington. Unfortunate that things ended so badly for him at UDUB because he had a real good thing going there.

Coached Tyson Alualu, Cam Jordan and Danny Shelton who all became 1st round picks. Couple other later round picks as well.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Pedigree is great for horses.

Winning is its own pedigree. Ask McVay whose coaching tree is rooted as shallow as a spruce at Point Barrow yet as desired as Fabio.

His grandfather helped build the 1980s Niners, which allowed him to grow up with Kyle Shanahan as a Niners ball boy. McVey is far from a self-made man.

 

[Binkster]

Pedigree is great for horses.

It's also decent dog food. Dog food... Dawg Pound... Pedigree. It all connects, folks!

 

[Lee]

The most impressive part to me...

The Browns just convinced a coach who was running an extremely successful CFL franchise and a very highly touted coach at NCAA's best program, to come to Cleveland as low profile coaches..

While Jones could have gotten a pay raise, he took a significant decrease in responsibility and authority to do so... Lupoi was in the running for several lower level Power 5 head coaching jobs over the course of several years, and had established himself as one of the nation's best recruiters...

These are two guys, at two different levels with extremely high levels of success wanting to come to Cleveland..

While Lupoi did have a reputation more so as a recruiter than a coach, DL had always been his strongsuit and tasking him with a position level coach should be manageable... I can't imagine Kitchens raided Saban's staff without permission, as Kitchens talked about Saban's influence/friendship during his press conference... With what's happening at Bama, it seems like perhaps a mutual parting by Saban & Lupoi, and Lupoi wanting to put his name in NFL circles or better position himself for a college job...

I don't have anything behind this, but it seems like Jody Wright and Chris Jones will be Kitchen's eyes and ears on offense and defense, being two close associates in coaching... By looking at their resumes, both are overqualified for the jobs they hold and likely will be an overseer of sorts on their respective sides, giving Kitchens an extra level of comfort...

Prior to, I know we all speculated on Kitchen's Arizona coaching connections and it didn't look pretty... As of now, this is starting to look like it has the potential for a 2001 Browns, Butch Davis esque staff that had Bruce Arians, Larry Zierlein, Todd Bowles, Chuck Pagano, Keith Butler and Jerry Rosburg...

One thing I am very impress, and encouraged with, is not only does a coach need to identify on-field talent, they need to identify off-field coaching talent... Not enough emphasis is placed on this as staffs change and evolve and the staff that is originally hired and lauded, is not the same in the end.. The key to longevity and great coaches, is being able to find good coaching talent and develop it throughout all the change... Thus far, it looks like Kitchens is off to a brilliant start...

If really being honest instead of being in love like every coaching change, Lupoi is the first hire that seems more like a favor to a friend than an actual awesome hire. Lupoi was a recruiter who was being kept on the staff only because of his recruiting skills. He was stripped of most of his DC duties and play calling. We got him because he wanted a fresh start and to try to break into the NFL, but nothing about his resume says he will can coach, what it says is he can recruit which isn't a huge skill in the NFL.

Although I guess you could say all those Alabama players becoming free agents love him and will come here to play for him again, I guess that could be a positive.

 

[Dawg4L]

I've moved around the country a lot for work over the last 5 years, and I became the token Cleveland fan to all of the people I met. So after the Cavs won the championship and the city had a very respectable, non-violent, non-destructive celebration in the streets I received a lot of texts from people surprised that we didn't burn the city to the ground.

I explained to them how different it would be if the Browns win the Super Bowl. And I truly, truly believe that. Look no further than the Muni Lot.

God help this city if the Browns ever win a Super Bowl.

Honestly after 52 years the reason I think the Cavaliers parade was so calm is due to the fact that we didn't know how to act.

The Browns parade I fully expect a borderline riot.

 

[Randolphkeys]

If really being honest instead of being in love like every coaching change, Lupoi is the first hire that seems more like a favor to a friend than an actual awesome hire. Lupoi was a recruiter who was being kept on the staff only because of his recruiting skills. He was stripped of most of his DC duties and play calling. We got him because he wanted a fresh start and to try to break into the NFL, but nothing about his resume says he will can coach, what it says is he can recruit which isn't a huge skill in the NFL.

Although I guess you could say all those Alabama players becoming free agents love him and will come here to play for him again, I guess that could be a positive.

I'm still confused about the logistical jump where a college positional coach who sends a few of his players to the pros every year isn't going to be a good positional coach for the Browns. Lupoi isn't being hired to be a coordinator. This exact same scenario gave us one hell of a receivers coach last year.

 

[The Oi]

 

[Lee]

I'm still confused about the logistical jump where a college positional coach who sends a few of his players to the pros every year isn't going to be a good positional coach for the Browns. Lupoi isn't being hired to be a coordinator. This exact same scenario gave us one hell of a receivers coach last year.

I could be wrong, on the surface its seems more of a favor for a coach on his way out from Alabama.

This is the first time this board has really picked apart each coaching hire one by one. Every staff has a few of these type of hires though, no big deal as you said just a positional coach, one of a couple dozen on the team. But I really know nothing about him than is reported, its not like I heard of the guy before getting hired.

 

[Norm]

Obviously sexual harassment.........person getting swirlied is unwillingly having their breasts groped. I would be appalled and calling a lawyer