The Cleveland Browns have hired former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson as their new head coach, the team's eighth since 1999.
Jackson has head coaching experience, leading the Oakland Raiders to an 8-8 record in 2011. He also has knowledge of the AFC North division in which the Browns play, working as an assistant with rivals Cincinnati and Baltimore.
After a second meeting with Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, Jackson backed out an interview scheduled for today with the New York Giants. Jackson had also been a candidate for the San Francisco 49ers job, but the Browns offered him significant control over personnel. Jackson replaces Mike Pettine, who was fired after a 10-22 record in two seasons. Jackson will have input on who the Browns hire as General Manager to replace the fired Ray Farmer.