Browns Fire GM George Kokinis

Posted Nov 02, 2009 11:15PM By Chris Burke (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Browns

George Kokinis has been removed as general manager of the 1-7 Browns, the team confirmed in a statement Monday night.

Multiple news organizations, including the Cleveland Plain Dealer and WKYC-TV reported earlier that the Browns had made a move in the front office, and that Kokinis' short tenure with the team was believed to be over. Head coach Eric Mangini, who received the support of team owner Randy Lerner on Sunday, hand-picked Kokinis as GM in January.

More Coverage: Full Details of Situation Unclear

The Browns' statement on Kokinis' removal:

Cleveland Browns General Manager George Kokinis is no longer actively involved with the organization. In response to rumors and reports that Kokinis was escorted out of the building today, the Browns deny those reports. In the interest of protecting the parties involved we will withhold further comment.

Cleveland did not announce who would inherit Kokinis' duties as GM, though Mangini may be handed those responsibilities.

Mangini is in his first season as Cleveland's head coach. The Browns have a bye in Week 9.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

11-02-2009 @ 11:49PM

mitchelsbay said...

"LOL"This is so funny. The problem is not the GM! The problem is the same as New York had last year. It's called Eric Mangini! He's a BUM for god sakes. A stiff in New York and a stiff in Cleveland. What in the hell is Lerner thinking?
OMG is he a dope or what?

11-03-2009 @ 2:50AM

Dvdfrnzwbr said...

How does a team expect to win when you keep old Jamal "Juke and Jive three yard" Lewis around, and trade away young first round draft pick talent? It aint about the X's and O's, it's about the Willie and Joes.

11-03-2009 @ 12:02AM

incar381 said...

The GM sacking is just the prelude....Let's wait and see what will eventually happen to Mangini....

11-03-2009 @ 1:05AM

Dale said...

I'm actually rooting for the Bengals now. I believe that the Browns should just quit trying to build a team. It's hopeless! Maybe they could just merge with Cincinnati and build a Super Bowl winner.

11-03-2009 @ 2:24AM

jdbmar said...

I've been a Browns fan forever! But I must say, the Browns need a Face Lift Big Time! For starters, Lerner needs to totally turn the team over to the likes of a Marty, Shanahan, even Reeves as a GM and let one of them totally run the team and pick the HC! Mangini has to go!!!! He sucked in NY, and he sucks now! Players simply do not like him! Second, change the frigen colors all ready! They're old and god awful ugly! Third, we have no identity! What are we Dogs, Elfs or frigen Pumpkins? I'd agree to even a name change! After all, the team was named after Paul "Brown", by McBride, the founder of the team! Well, news flash? Paul Brown was fired by "Art Scumdell" in '63 and Paul Brown started the Bengals in '68, becoming a rivalry of the Browns, even choosing similar colors as the Browns just to stick it to Scumdell! So in reality, the Browns actually died in '63! I suggest change the name, and occasionally wear throw back Browns uniforms! And fourth, we need frigen CHEERLEADERS already!
The team needs restructuring and something fresh! This is not fair to Cleveland and it's fans to have such a crap team! I hope Lerner grows a brain and turns the team over to experienced NFL personel! OK, I vented! LOL..

11-03-2009 @ 12:24PM

thefootballref said...

Absolutely! A name change and new uniforms will quickly solve the franchise's problems. And, if we get cheerleaders, I hope they can throw a 7 yd. out cut on a frozen rope. Maybe they can teach the receivers how to catch or the DB's how to play man coverage. Ask yourself one question: Which players on this roster could make the Steelers roster?

11-03-2009 @ 3:03AM

Mangini should be next to go. I can't bear to listen to another one of his press conferences. This man has the personality and flavor of a strand of hay. Get somebody in here that can walk the walk, and talk the talk.

11-03-2009 @ 3:12AM

revan83668 said...

I'M AN UPSTATE NEW YORK "BROWNS" FAN , AND HATE N.Y. TEAMS--AND ABOUT TO START FOLLOWING THE SAINTS .

I KNEW MANGINI WAS THE DEATH BLOW--COME ON LERNER " S**T OR GET OFF THE POT " --BETTER YET SELL TO RUSH !!!!!!

11-03-2009 @ 4:10AM

Ultra Big Al said...

Yeah finaly the Browns problems are over! 8-0 now the second half of the season!!

11-03-2009 @ 6:08AM

rthomp761 said...

Offer Ozzie Newsome The president of the browns Job, let him pick the gm and next coach, Come on Learner enough is enough

11-03-2009 @ 11:46AM

jst1674 said...

This is probably the best idea I've seen on here yet. Ozzie has done well in picking talent for Baltimore and would seem to be a good fit!

11-03-2009 @ 8:10AM

Joel Donnenwirth said...

Bernie would be good on salary negotiations considering how he goes through money a salary cap means nothing. Go Browns, hide for awhile.

krag1899 said...

I actually have nothing to add to what has already been said other than this. "I am Speachless with anger and resentment that this travesty is being allowed to continue, to a team and town that has the history that Cleveland has in Pro football." The funny thing is, the fans still come out to the park, they still shell out the money and they still have nothing to show or boast about on Monday morning...God help Cleveland and the Browns fans.

11-03-2009 @ 8:27AM

hotrodqd said...

seems to me like someone needs to fire all the overpaid prima donnas who obviously cant execute the plays are they professional athletes or school children needing to be lead around on a leash ?....its called a playbook ....its your job to learn it & perfect it !! maybe you should of studied in college or learned how to read instead of being present & participating in all of the beer & bong parties ?

11-03-2009 @ 8:42AM

neohiocop1 said...

The Browns will never amount to anything again as long as the owner has his nose in the day to day operations of the team. You had Carmen Police, Bernie Kosar and instead of letting them run the team you had your nose in everything. Let the experts run the team and quit being so cheap and pay to get some good players and a good coach.

11-03-2009 @ 9:59AM

jschorr33 said...

Yep! Whole new team is needed. But, can't judge Mangini on his press conferences. I mean, look at Belechick. Now sure if we need new coach at all yet. But def need new players! Players who can CATCH the ball! Players who can THROW the ball. Players who can RUN the ball. I actually like comment above regarding new colors and some kick --- cheerleaders. A whole team makeover!!! Something totally radical....like a good team!

11-03-2009 @ 10:52AM

saortolani said...

And the Browns lured Ernie Acorsi out of retirement too - ostensibly to groom Bernie Kosar for the GM job. Great idea!! Now if they can find a way to lure Paul Brown out of death to coach we will be on track!

11-03-2009 @ 11:11AM

htc6600 said...

The sacrificial goat has to come from somewhere, heaven forbid the coach of the abortion that is the Browns should be held responsible. Lerner lost enough credibility with these two misguided actions that he may be run out of the league for sheer incompetence. The other owners in the league would not want to be associated in any way with this boob.