In the wake of the Browns’ decision to part ways with General Manager Mike Lombardi and CEO Joe Banner after the two men spent a year in their jobs, it was reported that new General Manager Ray Farmer did not take part in interviews with Mike Pettine before the Browns named him their head coach.
Pettine confirmed that on Thursday, but said he felt concerns about what that might mean for the way the organization is functioning were “overblown.” Pettine said that he and Farmer have spoken several times since he became the head coach and he’s left with the feeling that they’ll have a “tremendous relationship” because of a shared view about many things having to do with football.
Pettine also said he had no inkling of the changes that were coming and that it was bittersweet because of how he bonded with the two exiled executives during the interviews. Beyond that, though, he said the team was moving full speed ahead and that he was on board with owner Jimmy Haslam’s decision.
“He realized there were some issues and wanted to make things right,” Pettine said during a community event at the Browns’ facility. “As controversial and shocking as it was, I think he’s a believer and he wasn’t going to let things stay the way they were.”
Given the reported rifts that developed at the tail end of the brief Banner/Lombardi regime, it would seem to be crucial for Farmer, Pettine and Haslam to get on the same page for the organization to move on to better days. It looks like Pettine’s on board with that program.