CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns have fired special teams coordinator Mike Priefer a league source confirmed to 92.3 The Fan.
Josina Anderson of CBS Sports first reported the news.
Priefer is the second coordinator change made by head coach Kevin Stefanski this offseason. The club fired Joe Woods, who was hired by New Orleans, and hired Jim Schwartz.
“I appreciate everything Prief has done for this team in his three seasons as my special teams coordinator, but I have decided to move in another direction in the best interest of our organization,” Stefanski said. “I know this city will forever be grateful for the job he did as acting head coach in our AFC Wildcard win and for all his contributions while leading the Browns special team's units for the last four seasons. We wish Prief the best with his next opportunity.”
Priefer stood in for Stefanski as acting head coach during the Browns 48-37 playoff win at Pittsburgh January 10, 2021 after Stefanski was sidelined due to COVID-19.
NFL Network reported that the Browns have already requested to interview Colts special teams coordinator and former Browns special teamer Bubba Ventrone. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Browns have also requested to interview giants assistant special teams coordinator Anthony Blevins.
Stefanski is in the process of replacing multiple assistant coaches on his staff.
Quarterbacks coach Drew Petzing was hired by Arizona to be the Cardinals offensive coordinator, defensive backs coach/pass game coordinator Jeff Howard was hired by the Chargers as their new linebackers coach and defensive line coach Chris Kiffin was hired by the Texans as their new linebackers coach.
Utah State defensive coordinator Ephraim Banda is in line to become the new safeties coach according to Pete Thamel.
Cleveland’s special teams unit struggled last season under Priefer – especially in the return game.
The Browns had four punt returners – Donovan Peoples-Jones (12.4), Demetric Felton (6.0), Charles Rogers (4.5) and Jaelon Dardon (7.5) - averaged a combined 9.6 yards per return. Five kickoff returners – Jerome Ford (24.1), Rogers (21.3), D’Ernest Johnson (27.0), David Bell (12.0) and Felton (11.0) combined to average 23.0 yards per kickoff return.
The Browns averaged a league-worst 12.3 yards allowed per punt return in 2022 and ranked 18th overall according to NFL writer Rick Gosselin’s annual rankings.
Rookie kicker Cade York, selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, made 24 of 32 field goal attempts and 35 of 37 PAT tries.
Stefanski retained Priefer when he was hired as head coach in 2020.