St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur became the Cleveland Browns head coach on Thursday. The Browns tabbed Shurmur as the successor to Eric Mangini, who team president Mike Holmgren dismissed after the 2010 season.
Holmgren came to the Browns facility on Thursday with Shurmur's agent, Bob LaMonte, prompting speculation that a deal was close. Shurmur has been considered the favorite for the head coaching job for a week.
Shurmur comes from St. Louis where he most recently worked with Sam Bradford in his impressive rookie season. He becomes the 13th full-time head coach in Browns history. Shurmur will be tasked with a Browns offense that appears to be moving ahead with QB Colt McCoy, who was a rookie in 2010. As it is with some head coaches, his success will likely be tied to the success of McCoy.
Check out Dawgs By Nature for more on the hire.