CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Browns are hiring Freddie Kitchens as their coach, according to a person familiar with the decision.
The person says Kitchens is finalizing his contract and will be named Cleveland’s ninth coach since 1999.
The 44-year-old Kitchens has no previous head coaching experience but had a dazzling eight-week run as the team’s interim offensive coordinator.
Rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft, threw 19 of his NFL rookie record 27 touchdown passes while Kitchens oversaw the offense.
It’s a meteoric rise for Kitchens, who began the season as the team’s running backs coach.