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Offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, three other assistants, officially announced by Browns
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- Offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, three other assistants, officially announced by Browns
BEREA — The Browns made official the new faces on their coaching staff on Monday.
Offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey , running backs coach Duce Staley , tight ends coach Tommy Rees and defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire were formally announced. Rees, along with coaching tight ends, will also have the title of pass game specialist.
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The Browns still have to fill a coaching staff opening on the offensive line, as Bill Callahan is expected to be headed to the Tennessee Titans . He's joining his son Brian, who was recently named the Titans' head coach.
"Bill Callahan, very unique situation there — to go work for Brian, not with Brian," head coach Kevin Stefanski joked in Monday's introductory press conference for Dorsey. "He's going to work for Brian. I can't wait for Brian to boss him around. The dream of every kid is to boss their parents around. Happy for those guys again. I think organizationally we realized that's a unique situation and did not want to stand in the way of that. So excited for certainly Brian and Bill down there."
The three new offensive hires replace offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, running backs coach Stump Mitchell and tight ends coach T.C. McCartney. All three were let go by the Browns days after their AFC wild card loss to the Houston Texans in mid-January.
Cesaire replaces Ben Bloom as the defensive line coach. Bloom's future plans have not been announced.
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"Huge parts of that success," Stefanski said of the departed offensive coaches. "We did a lot of really good things over the last four years together, and I'm proud of that. And they (Mitchell and McCartney) are big parts of that. Alex Van Pelt, you guys know how I feel about a AVP the person, the coach, very, very happy for him to be able to run that offense in New England . I know he'll do a great job."
Here's a quick look at each of the four new hires, as well as a team-issued statement on each by Stefanski.
New coaching staff hires
Offense
Ken Dorsey, offensive coordinator
Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey watches the players during training camp at St. John Fisher University, July 27, 2022.
Age:42
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Replaces:Alex Van Pelt, let go; now New England Patriots offensive coordinator
College:University of Miami (Fla.), 2003
NFL playing career:Quarterback, San Francisco 49ers , 2003-05; Cleveland Browns , 2006-08
Coaching career:2011-12, Carolina Panthers , pro scout; 2013-17, Carolina Panthers, quarterbacks coach; 2018, Florida International, assistant athletics director; 2019-20, Buffalo Bills , quarterbacks coach; 2021, Buffalo Bills, quarterbacks coach/pass game coordinator; 2022-23, Buffalo Bills, offensive coordinator; 2024, Cleveland Browns, offensive coordinator
Kevin Stefanski on Dorsey:"Ken has worked with and elevated some of the top quarterbacks in this league and will bring a fresh approach to our offense. He knows what it takes to be successful at that position as he was one of the most successful college quarterbacks of all time and that has helped him become a tremendous coach. He has a history with this team and knows what the Browns mean to this city. We are very excited to bring in Ken as offensive coordinator."
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Duce Staley, running backs
Age:48
Replaces:Stump Mitchell, fired
College:University of South Carolina, 1997
NFL playing career:Running back, Philadelphia Eagles , 1997-2003; Pittsburgh Steelers , 2004-06
Coaching career:2011-12, Philadelphia Eagles, special teams quality control coach; 2013-17, Philadelphia Eagles, running backs coach; 2018-20, Philadelphia Eagles, assistant head coach/running backs coach; 2021-22, Detroit Lions , assistant head coach/running backs coach; 2023, Carolina Panthers, assistant head coach/running backs coach; 2024, Cleveland Browns, running backs coach
Kevin Stefanski on Staley:"Duce was a tough, hard-nosed running back in this league and brings the mind-set and energy to his coaching style that is needed in the running backs room. He knows how to get the most out of his players and has worked with some of the best running backs in the NFL. We are excited to have him leading our running backs."
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Tommy Reese, tight ends/pass game specialist
Apr 22, 2023; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees yells instructions during the A-Day game at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Age:31
Replaces:T.C. McCartney, not retained
College:University of Notre Dame, 2014
NFL playing career:None
Coaching career:2015, Northwestern University, graduate assistant; 2016, San Diego Chargers, offensive assistant; 2017-19, University of Notre Dame, quarterbacks coach; 2020-22, University of Notre Dame, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach; 2023, University of Alabama, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach; 2024, Cleveland Browns, tight ends coach
Kevin Stefanski on Rees:"Tommy has established himself as one of the top assistant coaches in college football and I have no doubt that will transition to the NFL. He has an incredible football acumen and I look forward to bringing his insight and unique perspective from top college programs to our offense."
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Defense
Jacques Cesaire, defensive line
Age:43
Replaces:Ben Bloom, TBD
College:Southern Connecticut State University, 2003
NFL playing career:Defensive tackle, San Diego Chargers, 2003-11
Coaching career:2015-19, San Diego Chargers, defensive line coach; 2020-21, Buffalo Bills, assistant defensive line coach; 2022-23, Houston Texans, defensive line coach; 2024, Cleveland Browns, defensive line coach
Kevin Stefanski on Cesaire:"Jacques brings energy and a proven track record as both a player and coach in this league. He has made his impact felt in every place he has been, and we know he will come in and work to increase an already high standard for our defensive line."
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Coaching staff position to be filled
Offensive line coach
Replaces:Bill Callahan, expected to leave to be Tennessee Titans offensive line coach
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns officially announce Ken Dorsey, other assistant coaching hires
