Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
JOE MILICIA
Associated Press
CLEVELAND - Wide receivers coach Terry Robiskie and tight ends coach Ben Coates won't be back with the Cleveland Browns next season, the first departures in an overhaul of coach Romeo Crennel's staff.
The team announced Friday that those two as well as offensive quality control coach Carl Crennel II and strength and conditioning coach John Lott will not be retained for next season.
"These decisions were made with the best interest of the franchise in mind," Romeo Crennel said in a statement.
More coaching changes could occur as Crennel continues meeting with general manager Phil Savage and owner Randy Lerner following a 4-12 season that began with high expectations.
The Browns need to improve one of the league's worst offenses and have asked the Miami Dolphins to interview quarterbacks coach Jason Garrett for offensive coordinator, a person familiar with the request said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment.
Garrett played 12 seasons in the NFL, mostly as a backup quarterback for Dallas, Tampa Bay, Miami and the New York Giants. He has spent two seasons coaching Miami's quarterbacks.
The Browns are looking for an offensive coordinator after finishing 30th in scoring and 31st in yards and rushing even after coordinator Maurice Carthon was replaced by offensive line-assistant head coach Jeff Davidson in October.
The 52-year-old Robiskie had been with the team for six tumultuous seasons. He was originally brought in by Butch Davis in 2001 and served as offensive coordinator in 2004, a season he ended as interim head coach, leading the Browns to a 1-4 record after Davis resigned.
The Browns' wide receivers turned in a disappointing year under Robiskie with Braylon Edwards dropping passes and creating distractions, including a tantrum on the sideline.
Robiskie, whose son Brian is a wide receiver at Ohio State, has been an NFL assistant coach since 1982, starting out as a special teams coach for the Los Angeles Raiders, where he played for three seasons.
Coates is a former All-Pro tight end for the New England Patriots. He joined the Browns when Crennel took over in 2005 along with Lott and Carl Crennel II, the coach's nephew.
Lott was not retained after the Browns put 15 players on injured reserve. He was the first coach Crennel hired, luring him away from the New York Jets.
Crennel, 10-22 in two seasons, is expected to be back for a third year.