Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam acted quickly Sunday after firing general manager Ray Farmer and head coach Mike Pettine.
Haslam promoted the Browns’ general counsel, Sashi Brown, to executive director of football operations and gave Brown control of the 53-man roster. Haslam made that announcement during an 8 p.m. Sunday press conference, about an hour after the Browns made the firings of Farmer and Pettine official.
Justice comes swiftly after a 3-13 season. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted that Haslam fired Farmer and Pettine by e-mail.
Brown joined the Browns in Jan. 2013, not long after Haslam took ownership. He previously worked eight seasons as general counsel with the Jaguars. Brown was an attorney in Washington, D.C., before joining the Jaguars.
Haslam said he’s hired the search firm Korn Ferry to assist himself, his wife, Dee Haslam and Brown in searching for a new head coach. SI’s Peter King reported the Browns’ first interview will be with Doug Marrone, but Haslam told reporters that is not true.
Haslam indicated that the Browns will hire a coach before hiring a general manager, a sign that the general manager eventually hired will answer to Brown.