Eric Mangini was introduced as head coach for the Cleveland Browns during a press conference Thursday morning.
Cleveland Browns President Michael Keenan opened by stated that they feel they have chosen the most driven and most passionate person for the job.
Mangini explained that once he got word from Randy Lerner of the job, he got the same feeling he had from when he started with the Browns. When he started out with the Browns, he had to explain to his mother that he was the ball boy for the Cleveland Browns. It was a hard thing and said, “It is very special to be back in Cleveland.”
The relationship with Lerner is important to Mangini. He felt that getting to sit down and talk with Lerner was the most exciting part. He got to hear what exactly Lerner wants, and is glad to be on the same page and hopes for the best. During their talk, Mangini said that they covered all different issues with the staff of the Cleveland Browns and no one thing was a big topic of interest.
Mangini also stated, “Romeo is a great great friend, and hopes that he remains involved in some way with the Browns.”
During the past three years, Mangini has been the head coach with the New York Jets. He took the Jets to the AFC Wild Card game in his first season, ending with a 10-6 record. In his last season the Jets had a finishing record of 9-7.
After the Browns season record of 4-12 and the firing of the head coach Romeo Crenel and the General manager Phil Savage, Mangini signed a four-year contract with the Cleveland Browns.
Mangini said towards his time with the Jets, “I’m most proud of where I got the Jets and look forward to getting the Browns to where they want to be.” Mangini stated that he tells the players to pick one goal to achieve during a season, and then makes sure that each player strives to achieve that goal. He said, “You learn so much from each job, and nobody stops improving.”
In regards to coaching the Jets he said, “When preparing with the Jets for the game against the Browns last season, it was a task that showed many comparisons. The two teams have similar styles of playing especially in defense.”
Mangini said, "I want guys that are competitive and guys that want to win." We will take this into the draft room with us when choosing new players for the team.
When deciding on a general manager, Mangini will have some say and knows that the important thing will be that he and the new general manager get along and both see things on the same page.
Mangini said to learner, “I want my three boys to be Browns fans, not just because their dad is the head coach but for what goes on with the Browns.” He wants to promise to all Browns fans that the team will work towards a stronger team and for the best and getting to that top spot.
While talking about changing teams Mangini said “The most important thing is to be yourself. There is no handbook on how to be a head coach.”