At the end of the 2016 season, the Cleveland Browns fired defensive coordinator Ray Horton. After only one season of work from Horton, the Browns had seen enough. Revving their coaching carousel once more, Cleveland offered the position to coaches Wade Phillips and finally Gregg Williams, who accepted the job.
So, who is Gregg Williams, and what can he do for the Browns?
Gregg Williams Hired As Browns Defensive Coordinator
Williams’s Defense
Known for his aggressive hybrid 4-3 defensive scheme, Williams runs an interesting look. His defense often includes linebackers on the defensive line and safeties in the box, making for a very strong attack. While the Browns often ran a 3-4 look under Horton, it often seemed that they lacked the personnel to do so. A shortage of talented linebackers forced players like Jamie Collins and Christian Kirksey to pick up the slack. Williams’s defense seems to make a lot more sense for the Browns. Defensive linemen like Emmanuel Ogbah and Danny Shelton can continue to develop and thrive in his defensive lineman-heavy system. In addition, the Browns would be wise to draft an elite prospect for Williams (such as defensive end Myles Garrett.)
Past Work
As it turns out, Williams actually has a bit of history with the Browns. After firing head coach Chris Palmer after the 2000 season, the Browns listed Williams as one of their finalists for the position. The other finalists were current Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis and Butch Davis, who won the job. After the 2004 season, the Browns fired Davis and replaced him with Romeo Crennel in 2005. However, Lewis continues to serve as head coach of the Bengals.
Though Williams has history in Cleveland, his career is somewhat infamous. Most fans will remember Williams from the Bountygate scandal. Players on the New Orleans Saints defense were found to have been taking “bounties” for injuring opposing players. It was found that the Saints defense had attacked players such as Cam Newton and Aaron Rodgers from 2009-2011. Although this may worry Browns fans, they must remember the defensive prowess and smarts of Williams. With his intelligence, fans must be able to believe that Williams has cleaned himself up. After winning Super Bowl XLIV with the Saints, Williams moved to the then St. Louis Rams in 2012, where he stayed only one year. He then moved on to the Tennessee Titans, where he again only stayed a year. From 2014-2016, he returned to the Los Angeles Rams, compiling a 17-31 record. Time will tell what he can do for the Browns.
