The Cleveland Browns are about set to hire Hue Jackson to be their next head coach, according to a report from Adam Schefter. He is saying details are being finalized, and that it is "close to being wrapped up."
Jackson was scheduled to fly to New York on Wednesday for an interview with the New York Giants. There were reports the Browns were going to put on a full press to get something done. Previous reports suggested they would offer Jackson significant say on personnel matters, which likely was the difference between the Browns and 49ers, as well as anything the Giants might have suggested in preliminary discussions. That and the No. 2 pick to select a quarterback of the future had to be enticing.
There were numerous reports last weekend that Jackson was on top of the 49ers list of candidates. They are left to figure out what the next step will be with the removal of another candidate. They spoke with Tom Coughlin on Tuesday, and interviewed Dirk Koetter last Saturday. While they have had other interviews, those two seem like the strongest candidates for the 49ers job. Chip Kelly interviewed as well, but there has been no follow-up on that.
Fooch's update: Mike Silver has confirmed the news
Hue Jackson will become the next head coach of the Cleveland Browns. "They made me feel comfortable," he just told me.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 13, 2016