Facebook isn’t good for much these days, but the “On this date” feature that popped up on Thursday morning was a quick eye-opener.
On this date, October 29, 2018, the Cleveland Browns fired head coach Hue Jackson. The Browns were 2-5-1 and coming off an ugly loss to the Steelers, one that featured a lot of finger-pointing and contentious activity on the sidelines between Jackson, offensive coordinator Todd Haley and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.
Ownership finally had enough of Jackson and his 3-36-1 record since the start of the 2016 season. Haley also got the axe, losing the power struggle with Williams. The gruff defensive coach became the interim head coach, promoting little-known Freddie Kitchens to offensive coordinator in the process.
Two years later, Jackson is unemployed. Haley is coaching high school football in Florida. Williams is running the defense for the winless Jets on another coaching ship that can’t take on much more water before sinking.
It’s fun, and more than a little maudlin, to look back at the immediate aftermath of Jackson’s firing. Here are some of the pieces we published:
Report: Baker Mayfield ‘not going to exactly miss Hue Jackson’
Odds have Zac Taylor, Lincoln Riley favorites to become Browns next head coach
The Browns have come a long way in two years.