Longshot Palmer Named New Coach of Browns

The Cleveland Browns were first brought into the NFL nearly 50 years ago by a quiet, cerebral, tough coach named Paul Brown.

Cleveland makes its return to the league led by a man with those same traits.

Chris Palmer, offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars the last two seasons and a longshot for the Cleveland job a week ago, was hired as the Browns’ coach on Thursday.

Palmer, 49, is the ninth full-time coach of the Browns, who are returning to the NFL next season as an expansion team after a three-year absence. Former owner Art Modell took the old team to Baltimore.

“The Cleveland Browns have always been my first choice,” Palmer said during a news conference. “I’ve been a football coach who has waited for this moment my whole life,” said Palmer, a nine-year NFL assistant whose only head coaching experience came at the college level. “And this is my time.”

Brown President Carmen Policy said details of Palmer’s contract needed to be finalized, but that it was for five years and would be worth approximately $5 million plus incentives.

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As expected, Terry Donahue was introduced Thursday as the San Francisco 49ers’ director of player personnel.

“I enjoy different challenges and this was something unique, something different,” Donahue said.

Donahue added he has no plans at this point to return to coaching.

“No one should say never. You never know,” he said. “But I’m not looking to coach again. My interest at this point is in studying, analyzing and totally grasping the personnel side and the administrative side of professional football.”

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Linebacker Peter Boulware of Baltimore, cornerback Charles Woodson of Oakland and defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy of Seattle were added to the AFC team for the Pro Bowl.

Running back Emmitt Smith of Dallas and linebacker Hardy Nickerson of Tampa Bay were added to the NFC squad.

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Chicago Bear President Michael McCaskey interviewed Arizona defensive coordinator Dave McGinnis and said he hopes to make a decision this week on who will be the team’s next coach.

Others under consideration are: Buffalo offensive coordinator Joe Pendry; Kansas City defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham; Green Bay offensive coordinator Sherman Lewis, and Jacksonville defensive coordinator Dick Jauron.