• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Browns Nation

Browns News. Rumors. Highlights. Now

  • Home
  • News
  • Free Agents
  • Draft
  • Podcast
  • History
  • All-Time Lists
  • Team
    • Shop
    • Schedule
  • About
You are here: Home / Daily News / Report: Bill Callahan To Be Hired As Browns New Offensive Line Coach

Report: Bill Callahan To Be Hired As Browns New Offensive Line Coach

By Ben Donahue January 20, 2020 @BenDonahue2187

Bill Callahan
(Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire)

 

New Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski’s coaching staff is taking shape with the addition of Bill Callahan on Monday. 

The #Browns are expected to hire Bill Callahan to coach their offensive line, sources say. Important addition of a former head coach for Kevin Stefanski’s staff.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 20, 2020


He will reportedly be the Browns new offensive line coach; a position Callahan knows well. 

Callahan, the former Redskins interim and Raiders head coach, brings much-needed experience to the Browns staff. 

If anything, Stefanski can use Callahan as a sounding board during the 2020 season.

 

Early Coaching History

 

After playing quarterback at Illinois Benedictine College, Callahan was a college coach for 15 years.  Callahan spent his college coaching career teaching the offensive side of the ball, specifically offensive line.

In 1995, he joined the staff of the Philadelphia Eagles where he, again, coached the offensive line.  Prior to the 1998 season, Callahan was named the offensive coordinator of the Oakland Raiders. 

 

Raiders Success and Firing

 

Four years later, Callahan was named the Raiders head coach after Jon Gruden left the team to coach the Buccaneers.  Inherited with an already talented team, the Raiders made it to Super Bowl XXXVII where he faced Gruden. 

Unfortunately, the Raiders would get blown out by the Bucs 48-21.  There have been reports that Callahan “sabotaged” the team during that Super Bowl. 

However, former Raiders players dispute the claim.

Callahan’s tenure with Oakland did not last long.  The 2003 season saw key injuries and locker room strife that led to a 4-12 finish. 

Callahan was fired by the late Al Davis after the season. 

 

University of Nebraska

 

Shortly after being fired by the Raiders, Callahan was hired as the head coach at the University of Nebraska. 

Callahan’s hiring was roundly criticized by many Nebraska fans and alumni. 

In over 40 years, the Cornhuskers were led by a coach with ties to the school.  Callahan broke that streak when then Athletic Director Steve Pederson decided to break tradition. 

The ‘Huskers did see some success with Callahan at the helm.  The team finished the 2005 season 8-4 and defeated Michigan 32-28 in the Alamo Bowl. 

In 2006, Nebraska won the Big 12 North for the first time since 1999, finishing the season at 9-5. 

The 2007 season was expected to be a huge year for the ‘Huskers.  However, the team struggled mightily, suffering from a number of lopsided defeats. 

Halfway through the season Pederson, the AD who hired Callahan, was fired.  In his place stepped Nebraska legend Tom Osborne. 

After a few more humiliating losses, Osborne fired Callahan.

 

Back to the NFL

 

Not long after leaving Nebraska, Callahan returned to the NFL where he went back to coaching offensive linemen.  The New York Jets hired Callahan as their assistant head coach and offensive line coach in 2008.

During his time with the Jets, Callahan saw Nick Mangold, Alan Faneca, and D’Brickashaw Ferguson named to the Pro Bowl.  Callahan also directed the Jets running game, which led to a franchise record 2,756 yards in 2009.

Callahan left the Jets to be the offensive line coach with the Dallas Cowboys in 2012.  The Cowboys line also experienced great success under Callahan. 

Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, and Travis Frederick all made the Pro Bowl.  During the 2014 off season, the Browns asked Dallas for permission to interview Callahan for offensive coordinator.  However, Dallas declined their request.

Staying in the NFC East, Callahan moved on to the Redskins in 2015 as their offensive line coach.  Washington promoted Callahan to assistant head coach in 2017 in addition to his offensive line duties. 

During the 2019 season, Washington fired head coach Jay Gruden following an 0-5 start.  Callahan was then named interim head coach for the remainder of the season. 

The team completed 2019 with a 3-8 record. 

The Redskins then quickly hired former Panthers coach Ron Rivera. 

Washington’s loss may be Cleveland’s gain, especially if Callahan works his magic on the Browns offensive line. 

If he can replicate some his success at his former stops, Cleveland’s offense could see a major boost in 2020.

Recent News

jimmy and dee haslam
3 Keys To A Successful Offseason For The Browns
browns locker room with helmets
Browns Not Expected To Use Franchise Tag In 2021
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the NFL regular season football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, Oct. 7, 2019 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
Myles Garrett Shows Off Basketball Skills In Viral Video

Filed Under: Daily NewsTagged With: Bill Callahan Raiders Head Coach, Callahan Redskins interim head coach, Callahan sabotaged Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Dallas denies Browns request, Huskers break tradition by hiring Callahan, Osborne fires Callahan

About Ben Donahue

Over 20 years of experience in sports including coach, athletic director, game day operations, media relations, football operations, and scout.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Primary Sidebar

Search Browns Nation

Trending News

Footer

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

 

Join Our Newsletter

Contact Us

 

Follow us

Copyright © 2021 · ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - Brownsnation.com

Copyright © 2020 · ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BrownsNation.com is not affiliated with the Cleveland Browns or the National Football League