Williams replaces Horton as Browns defensive coordinator

Sep 21, 2017 - 7:49 PM The Cleveland Browns fired defensive coordinator Ray Horton after one season and hired Gregg Williams to become the new coordinator, the team announced Sunday.

Williams, 58, was the Los Angeles Rams' defensive coordinator for the past three seasons. He is expected to bring three or four Rams assistants with him, Cleveland.com reported.

The move comes after the Browns' disastrous 1-15 season -- worst in franchise history -- in head coach Hue Jackson's first season in Cleveland.

"We are thrilled that Gregg Williams is joining our staff as defensive coordinator," Jackson said in a statement. "Gregg has been an outstanding defensive coach in this league for a very long time. His defenses have frequently finished among the top 10 in the league. He adapts his scheme to maximize the strengths of his personnel and has always been able to get the most out of his players. We look forward to him coming in, helping our players improve and helping us become the winning team we are all working towards."

Horton's defense finished 31st overall, 31st against the run and 21st against the pass this season. Williams' Rams were ranked ninth in total defense.

"It's very exciting for me to become part of the Cleveland Browns organization and join Hue Jackson's coaching staff," Williams said in a statement released by the team. "I have so much respect for Hue having competed against him in this league for so many years. We're looking forward to getting to work."

Horton, 56, left the Tennessee Titans to join the Browns when Jackson was hired as head coach a year ago. Horton was fired by the Browns for the second time. He also was relieved of his duties in 2013 when the Browns went 4-12 and fired coach Rob Chudzinski after his first year.

Williams, suspended by the NFL in 2012 for his role in the New Orleans Saints' Bountygate scandal, was in limbo after Rams head coach Jeff Fisher was fired last month. With no replacement hired as of yet, Rams assistants were free to seek other employment.

Williams went 17-31 in his three seasons as head coach of the Buffalo Bills (2001-03). He served as defensive coordinator for Tennessee, Washington, Jacksonville, New Orleans and most recently, St. Louis/Los Angeles.

"I have a vision of what I want our defense to play like and look like, and I am going to get that. That is what I am looking forward to," Jackson said in a conference call to discuss the hiring of Williams to replace Horton.

"I don't want anybody to take that this is just about Ray. This is really about my vision. It is about what I am trying to create here in Cleveland and how I see it and what I think it is going to take for us to get there. This isn't just Ray. I know it looks like that. I know it looks like he gets caught up in it and however you guys want to say that, but it is not about that. It is bigger to me than that."

Jackson could be replacing another top assistant as Browns associate head coach/offense Pep Hamilton is reportedly considering leaving the team to reunite with Jim Harbaugh at Michigan.

Hamilton previously worked for Harbaugh at Stanford in 2010 as wide receivers coach, and the Wolverines have an opening for a quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator.

The Browns don't have an offensive coordinator in title on their staff because Jackson handles many of those duties. The 42-year-old Hamilton is Cleveland's highest-ranking offensive assistant but didn't call the plays, coaching the quarterbacks and helping coordinate the passing game.

Jackson told reporters Sunday he feels "very comfortable" Hamilton will stay with the Browns instead of accepting the Michigan job.

Earlier Sunday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Harbaugh has been telling recruits that Hamilton will be joining his staff.

"I have known about the Jim Harbaugh situation from a week and a half ago," Jackson said. "I feel very comfortable that Pep is staying. Anything can happen. We want him to stay. We hope he stays. Like I said, a young man is entitled to do what they feel is best for them, but I would think we have created a good environment and I hope things are still good. As far as I know, things are."