Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Browns Hire Former Standout Player As Special Teams Coordinator

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated 2/23/23

The Cleveland Browns have a special teams coordinator

The Cleveland Browns announced a late coaching firing on Tuesday. They fired special teams coordinator Mike Priefer after four seasons in Cleveland. It was assumed the Browns would go after their former special teams star Raymond Ventrone, who had built a solid special teams unit with the Indianapolis Colts from 2018-22. The Colts recently turned over their staff when they hired Shane Steichen as their new head coach.

According to Tom Pelissero with the NFL Network, the Browns will make Ventrone’s hire official.

The #Browns are hiring Bubba Ventrone as their assistant head coach/special teams coordinator, per sources.

Ventrone, 40, played four seasons in Cleveland (2009-12). Now, he returns on Kevin Stefanski’s staff after building one of the NFL’s top units in Indianapolis. A big hire. pic.twitter.com/qdI4aSRxL1

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 23, 2023

Ventrone played with the Browns from 2009-12. Ventrone was a special teams stud for the Browns. He was named as a Pro Bowl alternate during the 2010 season. According to Rick Gosselin’s 2022 special teams rankings, the Colts had the eighth-best special teams unit last season with Ventrone as their coordinator.

The Colts were ranked as the second-best team for the 2021 season. The Browns’ special teams could use his direction as they try to make their way back into playoff contention next season.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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