SPORTS : Jets’ Bud Carson to Coach Browns

Bud Carson, the New York Jets’ defensive coordinator since 1985 and architect of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Steel Curtain defenses during the 1970s, was named the Cleveland Browns’ seventh full-time head coach today.

Browns’ owner Art Modell named Carson, 57, to replace Marty Schottenheimer, who quit Dec. 27 over differences with Modell about how the team should be run. “This is the greatest thrill of my professional life,” Carson said.

Carson beat Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur for the job. Shurmur, 56, was the only other finalist after the San Francisco 49ers elevated defensive coordinator George Seifert to head coach Thursday.