Former Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan has been hired to do the same job for the Cleveland Browns, according to multiple media reports.
Shanahan was offensive coordinator in Washington from 2010 through last year. He was credited with creating an innovative offense using elements from both the college and pro games to take advantage of the talents of rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III in 2012. The Redskins ranked first in rushing yards and yards per play, Griffin was the offensive rookie of the year, and the team won the NFC East title for the first time since 1999.
That season ended with Griffin suffering a serious knee injury. Although he as able to take the field for the start of the 2013 season he clearly didn’t have the same speed and explosiveness. Shanahan and the offense struggled to find solutions and although the team ended up ninth in the league in yardage they were 23rd in scoring.
In Shanahan’s first two years in Washington the Redskins ranked 25th and 26th in scoring. Part of the struggles were due to issues at the quarterback position before the Redskins made a huge trade to move up to land Griffin.
Shanahan will face some of the same struggles in Cleveland. The started three different quarterbacks last year and none were the solution due to injuries, ineffectiveness, or both.
Many believe it will be good for Kyle to coach separately from his father Mike, who was the one who brought him in as offensive coordinator. That relationship started to create issues as the team collapsed to a 3-13 record last year.
Shanahan interviewed with the Browns earlier this week but there were reports that the team had moved on from him and was considering other candidates. Shanahan’s hire was first reported by Alex Marvez of FOX Sports.
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