John DeFilippo, who has never called plays before at the NFL level, will get his chance to join the smoldering tire fire that is the Cleveland Browns as their new offensive coordinator. DeFillippo replaced Kyle Shanahan, who willingly parted ways with the team early in the offseason after rumors that the owners box would send playcalling “suggestions” during the game.
DeFillippo joins the Browns from the Oakland Raiders’ staff where he was quarterbacks coach, as he helped rookie Derek Carr complete an outstanding first-year campaign, throwing for 3,200 yards and 21 touchdowns with just 12 interceptions. DeFilippo now must try to do something similar with Johnny Manziel, the only Browns’ quarterback currently under contract.
DeFillippo has never been an offensive coordinator at any level and only called plays before in one other position, as the quarterbacks coach for San Jose State in 2011. The Browns interviewed former St. Louis Rams head coach Mike Martz, former Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey, Buffalo Bills offensive assistant Jim Hostler and New York Jets running back coach Anthony Lynn for the position before deciding on DeFilippo.
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Jaguars go with Greg Olson as Offensive Coordinator
The Raiders lost another assistant coach Wednesday when Greg Olson agreed to become the new offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars. This will be Olson’s fifth job as offensive coordinator in the NFL after stints with the Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams and Detroit Lions.
Olson replaced Jedd Fisch who was fired after the regular season. The offensive numbers for the 2014 Raiders don’t seem to match up with the interest their coaches garnered with teams in need of offensive help. The Raiders were ranked dead last in the NFL in total offense and No. 26 in passing. What Olson was able to do was get the most out of Carr, a rookie, as mentioned above and presumably that is Gus Bradley’s thinking in adding him to a staff with a talented young passer of his own, Blake Bortles.
Olson’s best season as offensive coordinator came with the Rams in 2006 under Scott Linehan. Though the team finished 8-8, the Rams offense finished the season as the sixth-best in the league with 4,000-yard passer (Marc Bulger), a 1,500-yard rusher (Steven Jackson) and two 1,000-yard receivers (Isaac Bruce and Tory Holt).
Olson returns to the Jaguars where he spent the 2012 season as assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach.
