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Mangini's top choice for GM to be interviewed, source says
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Monday, Jan 05, 2009
If Eric Mangini does have an inside track on the Browns' coaching job, as Chris Mortensen of ESPN and Jay Glazer of Fox Sports continued to report Sunday, the path has been cleared for the Browns to interview Mangini's first choice for general manager.
A league source said the Browns asked for and received permission to talk to George Kokinis, the Baltimore Ravens' director of pro personnel for the past six seasons. But nothing has been scheduled, the source said, as owner Randy Lerner continues to explore all options.
Kokinis began his NFL scouting career with the Browns in 1991 after serving as an intern in the operations department. He has worked 18 years with Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome. Mangini came to the Browns in 1994 as a ball boy and public relations intern and moved up to coaches' assistant under Bill Belichick in 1995.
A close friend of Mangini's and, like him, a native of Connecticut, Kokinis serves on the board of directors of Mangini's foundation, which benefits under-resourced children and teachers.
Mangini, 37, was the first person interviewed Tuesday after Lerner fired coach Romeo Crennel and General Manager Phil Savage, and Lerner is said to be fascinated with Mangini. Reportedly during his interview, Mangini identified Kokinis as someone he would be comfortable working with. The disconnect between Savage and Crennel became an issue during their 24-40 four-year reign.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
If Eric Mangini does have an inside track on the Browns' coaching job, as Chris Mortensen of ESPN and Jay Glazer of Fox Sports continued to report Sunday, the path has been cleared for the Browns to interview Mangini's first choice for general manager.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Tallmadge, OH
Posted 07:15 AM, 01/05/2009
Didn't the Browns do this before with Savage & Crennel? It didn't work for 4 years, and this new version won't work either. Face it Browns' fans, your goose is cooked. Join the Akron Pittsburgh Steelers fan club and support a winner. Go Steelers !!!
Posted 08:02 AM, 01/05/2009
Keep grumping old man. I love my Browns and will live through the tough time to get back to where it used to be: 2 wins against hapless Pittsburg every year! ARF ARF!
Posted 08:11 AM, 01/05/2009
I put the Browns and the Cavs in the same category ... UGH!
peninsula, OH
Posted 08:16 AM, 01/05/2009
I could never support a team like the steelers. you will see them fail as usual soon.
Posted 08:26 AM, 01/05/2009
Get ready for four more years of the same 'ole, same 'ole.
Posted 08:32 AM, 01/05/2009
We won't find the right men out there to fill GM and Coach this year. How about we hire Marty as GM and coach for one year. Then next year we target a coach (Shanahan, Cohwer) and let Marty stay as GM. That way Marty and the rest of the front office has plenty of time to evaluate potential coaches.
Posted 08:35 AM, 01/05/2009
It's probably too sane for this organization,but wouldn't it be nice to hire a head of football operations who answers to the owner and then let him hire a GM or player personel guy and a head coach.The last two positions answering to the president. The president would be someone who has a lot of experience---Parcells,Schottenheimer,etc.
Hiring the coach and letting him pick the personel guy has been done here in the Lerner years---Butch Davis.
Port Saint Lucie, Fl
Posted 08:35 AM, 01/05/2009
To Retired:,Browns and Cavs in the same category?What does that mean?
Posted 08:40 AM, 01/05/2009
Good idea TonyZ. You have to attract Cowher and he and Marty have a good rapport. He could be interested after he sees what Marty has done. But of course, if Marty does good, then you don't need anybody else.
Posted 08:57 AM, 01/05/2009
You're right Paul, but Marty has said he doesn't really want to coach. He'd rather be in a front office somewhere, what better place to finish his career than the first place he truely made a name for himself.
Marty could move to Team President/GM and we could bring in a young coach that Marty prefers, rather than rely on Lerner's evaluations.
I still don't think Cohwer will ever come to Cleveland though.
A, O
Posted 09:17 AM, 01/05/2009
Old Man Chump! the steelers in a playoff game soon facing A good team? Dont you moronic steelers fans have more to worry about than the Browns?
Posted 09:20 AM, 01/05/2009
Like which one of your brothers is dating your sister?
barberton, oh
Posted 09:36 AM, 01/05/2009
I can go for Manginious with no problem. Why is it that we need a guy from the Ravens ? Let Mangini have it all, that's why he's Manginious !! This cat can make things happen. We have talent here, the guys need a swift kick in the Ass 2 make it happen...
barberton, oh
Posted 09:38 AM, 01/05/2009
I just posted, what happened ??
Posted 09:45 AM, 01/05/2009
What a dumb move. Yeah, let's hire another Ozzie Newsome lapboy. I think I know how that one goes already.
Rootstown, Oh
Posted 10:30 AM, 01/05/2009
Over the past several weeks, we all have agreed the Browns needed change. Whoever the final choices are, I hope they surround themselves with outstanding assistants and scouts. A boss is only as good as the people selected to operate the system. The boss becomes a hero when the assistants produce great results, or a chump when the assistants fail. Lets hope our new administration, whoever they may be, has learned their lessons with previous organizations and apply their learned experiences positively with the Browns. We expect nothing less.
Barberton, OH
Posted 11:35 AM, 01/05/2009
I don't know, this sounds like Phil Savage all over again. Can't we get a GM fron ANOTHER organization than the old Browns??
Also, I'm absolutely not in favor of hiring a coach before your GM. It's the GM who should be picking the coach, not the other way around. It's been proven that the method does not work.
Posted 12:15 PM, 01/05/2009
Clown fans and clown players have much in common, they each get to watch the playoffs on TV. Go Steelers!!!
Barberton, OH
Posted 12:33 PM, 01/05/2009
I hope the Steeler fans in here live long enough to see the day when the Browns are the dominant team. For that matter, I hope I live that long, haha.
Smethport, Pa
Posted 01:12 PM, 01/05/2009
old man, give it up. the only converts you'll get are the "fans" we don't want. no real Browns fan would even think about the steelers
Posted 02:14 PM, 01/05/2009
Doug N, call Ozzie what you want to, but make sure that you mention that the Ravens are in the playoffs.
Posted 02:15 PM, 01/05/2009
piccard, your a very funny guy are you here all week.
Stow, OH
Posted 05:38 PM, 01/05/2009
Good thing Randy has a lot of money,because with all the boneheaded moves he makes he would be living in a cardboard box under some over pass if he didn't.
It is like trying to put the roof on a house when the foundation is only half done.Could you imagine on the day of your job interview the boss tells you "we like you so much we want you to pick who your supervisor will be ".
