Shofner Won’t Remain as Browns Coach

Winless in his first four games as the Cleveland Browns’ head coach, Jim Shofner has given up any hope of returning to the same job next season.

“Obviously, I wasn’t the answer,” Shofner said today. “Certainly I inherited a lot of circumstances. You can say there are all these reasons why, and maybe they’re legitimate. But it still adds up to the same thing--didn’t get it done.”

The Browns lost to Houston 58-14 Sunday, allowing more points than they had ever given up in a regular-season game (they lost to Detroit 59-14 in the 1957 NFL championship game). Since Shofner replaced Bud Carson as head coach, Cleveland has been outscored 161-73.

When owner Art Modell promoted him from offensive coordinator Nov. 5, the assignment was for the rest of this season, but Modell said Shofner would be considered for the position again next year.

“I told the team and the media that I don’t consider myself a candidate for the head coaching job of this team for next year,” Shofner said. “My leadership, for whatever reason, hasn’t worked, and maybe that’s a chink in my armor.”