Three years ago today, the Cleveland Browns made one of the most significant moves in the rebirth of good football in Northeast Ohio. On October 29th, 2018, Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam pulled the plug on the failed Hue Jackson experiment as the team’s head coach.
On the heels of a bad 33-18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers — coincidentally this week’s Browns foe — the team acquiesced to common sense and canned Jackson. He went 3-36-1 in two-plus seasons coaching the Browns, including the 0-16 debacle that was 2017. It’s the worst winning percentage for any head coach who lasted at least 40 games with a team in NFL history.
For nearly everyone associated with the Cleveland Browns, it’s a happy anniversary. In clearing out not just Jackson but also truculent offensive coordinator Todd Haley, the Browns cleared the deck for upward mobility and progress. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who famously clashed with Haley during that summer’s Hard Knocks, took over as the interim coach and immediately proved that even somewhat competent coaching proved a major difference. With Baker Mayfield learning the ropes as a rookie QB, Williams guided the Browns to a 5-3 record after inheriting the 2-5-1 mess Jackson left behind.