Tag: Joe Woods

Joe Woods officially hired as the Browns new defensive coordinator

The weeks of reports and rumors finally came true on Friday

The worst-kept secret is no longer shrouded in the shadows and whispers. It’s now official:

Joe Woods is the defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns.

Several weeks of speculation and reports finally proved true on Friday when Woods officially signed on to run the Browns defense under new head coach Kevin Stefanski.

Woods was unavailable for an extended period while he coached the defensive backs for the San Francisco 49ers on their run to Super Bowl LIV. He completed his final interview for the new position this week on the same day Andrew Berry was officially named the new Browns GM.

Woods has previous coordinating experience in Denver and familiarity with Stefanski from their days together on the staff in Minnesota.

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Report: Browns to hire 49ers DB coach as defensive coordinator

The 49ers may lose defensive backs coach Joe Woods to the Browns for their defensive coordinator opening.

The first domino is set to fall in the potential exodus of coaches from the 49ers’ coaching staff. ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday morning reported 49ers defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Joe Woods was set to join the Browns as their new defensive coordinator barring any hiccups in contract talks.

Woods signed on with the 49ers in the offseason after spending the previous two years as the Broncos’ defensive coordinator. Assistants generally sign one-year deals, so Woods is what amounts to a coaching free agent after the 49ers’ season is over.

Woods, 49, helped oversee a dramatic improvement in the 49ers’ secondary. They went from one of the NFL’s worst pass defenses last year, to the No. 1 pass defense statistically this year, with largely the same personnel. San Francisco’s defensive backs had better communication, and played more disciplined football in the back end.

While some of that has to be attributed to health and an improved pass rush, Woods’ role in it was sure to get him looks for open defensive coordinator jobs. His name first surfaced as one of two candidates for the Cleveland job after the Browns hired new head coach Kevin Stefanski.

Given the 49ers’ success this season, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Woods is the first of multiple coaches to exit as teams look to mimic the rapid success of the 13-3 49ers following a 4-12 season. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh was already a top candidate for the Browns’ head coach opening, and offensive assistants Mike LaFleur and Mike McDaniel have had their names surface for multiple positions as well.

Report: Browns eyeing 49ers DBs coach Joe Woods for defensive coordinator job

The Browns may tap 49ers DB coach Joe Woods for the defensive coordinator job on Kevin Stefanski’s coaching staff.

The 49ers got to keep defensive coordinator Robert Saleh after he was passed over for the Browns’ head coach opening, but Cleveland is still eyeing a member of the 49ers coaching staff. NFL Media’s Jim Trotter reported 49ers defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Joe Woods is one of two names Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is considering for the team’s defensive coordinator opening.

Woods signed on with the 49ers in the offseason after getting fired as the Broncos defensive coordinator. He was the coordinator for two years in Denver and finished No. 3 and No. 22 in yards over those two seasons.  They were No. 22 and 13 in points allowed.

Chris Biderman of the Sacramento Bee reported Woods was a popular internal candidate to replace Saleh had Saleh exited for the head coach job in Cleveland.

While the influx of talent in the pass rush has certainly aided the 49ers’ defensive turnaround, the improved play of their secondary from 2018 to 2019 with largely the same personnel points to Woods’ effectiveness as a coach.

San Francisco finished No. 31 in passing touchdowns allowed, last in interceptions, and No. 11 in yards allowed in 2018. In Woods’ first year on the staff, they moved to No. 17 in touchdowns, No. 13 in interceptions and No. 1 in yards allowed.

If Woods does wind up with the Browns, it opens up the scenario where Robert Saleh gets a head coaching job next year, and the 49ers lose their defensive coordinator and top internal candidate to replace him in back-to-back seasons.

NFL’s conference title games will feature several former Broncos

Broncos fans will recognize several former Denver players and coaches during the AFC and NFC championship games this weekend.

The Broncos did not reach the playoffs this year but the team will be well-represented by former coaches and players in the NFL’s conference championship games this weekend.

49ers center Ben Garland and Emmanuel Sanders both played in Denver before landing in San Francisco. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is the son of former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan. Defensive backs/passing game coordinator Joe Woods coached in Denver from 2015-2018.

Wes Welker, who was a key member of the Broncos’ record-breaking offense in 2013, now serves as San Francisco’s wide receivers coach.

In Green Bay, the Packers have three offensive linemen who spent time in Denver: Billy Turner, Jared Veldheer and John Leglue.

The Titans have four former Broncos on their roster: punter Brett Kern, wide receiver Kalif Raymond, linebacker Wesley Woodyard and cornerback Tramaine Brock. Kern earned first-team All-Pro honors and the third Pro Bowl selection of his career this season.

The Titans will take on the Chiefs in the AFC title game on Sunday, Jan. 19 at 1:05 p.m. MT on CBS. The 49ers will face the Packers in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday at 4:40 p.m. MT on Fox.

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