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| Monday, January 22 Associated Press | |||
| CLEVELAND -- Gregg Williams, whose Tennessee defense was the
NFL's top-ranked unit last season, interviewed Monday for the
Cleveland Browns' head coaching vacancy.
Williams, the Titans' defensive coordinator the past four
seasons, met for three hours with Browns president Carmen Policy
and other Cleveland executives at the club's suburban training
complex.
"It's been a great experience, I've enjoyed the day," Williams
said. "Hopefully, it will develop into something more."
The 42-year-old Williams is the first out-of-town candidate to
meet this week with the Browns, who are intentionally being
low-profile during their head coaching search -- a drastic change
from when they looked for a coach in 1999.
Under Williams, the Titans' defense has steadily improved each
year and finished this past season ranked first overall against the
run and third against the pass.
Baltimore's vaunted Super Bowl-bound defense was second
statistically to Tennessee's.
"I know the division inside and out, and I know this team
inside and out," said Williams, whose only head coaching
experience was as a high school coach in Missouri. "The meeting
went well."
The Browns plan to interview at least three other NFL assistants
this week as they look to replace Chris Palmer, fired on Jan. 11
after going 5-27 in two seasons.
On Tuesday, New Orleans offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy will
visit the Browns and San Francisco offensive coordinator Marty
Mornhinweg is scheduled to meet with the club on Wednesday.
Spokesman Todd Stewart said the Browns still were trying to set
up an interview with Minnesota offensive line coach Mike Tice for
later in the week.
The Browns plan to interview Baltimore defensive coordinator
Marvin Lewis after the Super Bowl, and are asking the New York
Giants for permission to talk with defensive coordinator John Fox.
Stewart said Policy was planning to interview Browns defensive
coordinator Romeo Crennel either Monday or Tuesday for the head
coaching position.
Browns owner Al Lerner did not participate in Williams'
interview, but will be present if any of the candidates are asked
to come back, Stewart said.
The club has said it will conduct any interviews with college
coaches quietly. Reports continue to swirl that the Browns are
interested in talking to Miami's Butch Davis, Oklahoma's Bob Stoops
and Washington's Rick Neuheisel.
When the Browns looked for a coach to lead them back into the
league in '99, they made the candidates available for interviews.
But the club has decided to conduct this search without the same
fanfare.
Williams, an 11-year assistant in the Titans' organization, is
known for having an excellent rapport with his players and would
frequently seek their opinions before making a decision.
Palmer's stubbornness and inability to communicate with some of
his players were sore spots with the Browns' front office.
Williams began his NFL career as Houston's quality control coach
in 1990 and also worked as the Oilers special teams and linebackers
coach before the franchise moved to Tennessee. | ALSO SEE
Browns set interviews; Stoops still not interested | ||