The Cleveland Browns added two assistants to their staff on Friday, officially announcing the hirings of Ken Zampese as quarterbacks coach and Adam Henry as wide receivers coach. The Browns, however, currently remain without an offensive coordinator, after head coach Hue Jackson had previously stated he would consider hiring one.
"It is something that I have thought about, adding a coordinator here. I think the staff decisions for me will be from reflecting over the next week or so and just seeing where we are, seeing what I think in need to do to help this organization be the best it can be," Jackson said at the conclusion of the 2017 campaign.
But after reportedly interviewing Houston Texans quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan for the position, the Browns remain without an offensive coordinator. Should Jackson opt not to hire one, he would presumably resume play-calling duties for the Browns offense -- just as he had in each of the previous two seasons, in which Cleveland amassed a 1-31 record.
"I have said before that at some point in time I would like to do differently because I think it is important to coach the team," Jackson said. "Now knowing, now seeing and now truly believing in that the team is going to take a step forward, I think everything is on the table.”
That "point in time," however, doesn't appear to be right now -- although Zampese arrives in Cleveland after having spent the 2016 season as the Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator, before being fired less than a month into the 2017 campaign.
Henry, meanwhile, spent the last two years coaching wide receivers for the New York Giants. He will replace former Browns assistant Al Saunders, who is moving into an advisory role with the team.
After losing quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton a year ago and replacing defensive coordinator Ray Horton with Gregg Williams, this marks the second time in as many years the Browns' coaching staff has endured an overhaul. And although the team's results may dictate such transactions as necessary, the most significant move they could make is one they have yet to.
