BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns have reportedly settled on an interim coach, and it will be defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen reported the news on Twitter after the Browns parted ways with Coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley early Monday afternoon.
Currently, Williams’ defense leads the NFL in takeaways (22), interceptions (12) and fumble recoveries (10). They are a league-best plus-11 in turnover ratio and among the NFL’s best in negative plays, sacks and passes defended.
Prior to joining the Browns, Williams most recently served as the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator during the 2016 season, and held the same position for three years before the team relocated to California from St. Louis (2012, 2014-2015).
Williams gained national attention during his time as the defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints, where it was discovered by NFL investigators that he instituted and ran a bounty program that rewarded defenders for injuring opposing players on the team’s run to a Super Bowl title.
Williams also served as the defensive coordinator with the Tennessee Oilers/Titans (1997-2000), Washington (2004-2007) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2008), as well as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills (2001-2003).
During his three years as head coach of the Bills, Williams posted a 17-31 record.