Mangini fills out Browns coaching staff with five familiar faces

Published: Jan 22, 2009 at 10:01 AM

CLEVELAND -- As he awaits the hiring of the team's new general manager, Browns coach Eric Mangini added five assistant coaches, four of whom were on his New York Jets staff.

Mangini hired defensive line coach Bryan Cox, defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson, defensive quality-control coach Andy Dickerson, quarterbacks coach Carl Smith and assistant strength and conditioning coach Rick Lyle on Thursday.

Cox, Henderson, Dickerson and Lyle all spent the past three seasons on the Jets' staff.

"These men are outstanding teachers, and their energy and expertise will have an immediate impact on our team," said Mangini, who was hired earlier this month, just days after he was fired by the Jets.

Meanwhile, the Browns haven't yet announced the hiring of George Kokinis as their GM. Kokinis, the Baltimore Ravens' pro personnel director for the past six seasons, is expected to join Cleveland this week. He had a second interview with Browns owner Randy Lerner on Wednesday and spent two days meeting with Mangini earlier this week.

Cox was an intimidating linebacker for 12 seasons in the NFL before becoming a coach. He played in 165 career games with the Jets, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints. In 2006, Cox joined Mangini on the Jets' coaching staff as the assistant defensive line coach.

Henderson played eight seasons as a defensive back with the Jets, Patriots, Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles. He played in Super Bowls with the Bills and Patriots. He joined the Jets in 2006 as director of player development and was promoted to assistant defensive backs coach in 2007 before assuming the role of defensive backs coach in 2008.

Dickerson was on the Patriots' operations staff before joining the Jets in 2006.

This will be Smith's second stint with the Browns. He was Cleveland's quarterbacks coach under Butch Davis from 2001 to 2003 before he went to USC and helped mentor Trojans QB Matt Leinart during his Heisman Trophy season. Smith spent the 2005 and 2006 seasons as the Jacksonville Jaguars' offensive coordinator.

Earlier this month, USC coach Pete Caroll announced that Smith would return to the Trojans as their quarterbacks coach, but he's going to Cleveland instead.

Lyle played for 10 seasons with the Browns, Ravens, Jets and Patriots before he got into coaching.

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