Mangini's top choice for GM to be interviewed, source says
That was the secondary headline in today's paper. It made me cringe, and you should too. The literal translation is that Eric Mangini, the former Jets coach and favorite for Browns owner Randy Lerner, is picking his own boss. That boss would be George Kokinis, friend of Mangini and Ravens director of pro personnel.
Pretty great deal, getting to hire your boss. Imagine the possibilities. The vacation days. The overlooked poor work.
Oddly, that is not even the strangest part of this whole situation.
If (or possibly when) this Mangini/Kokinis team comes to power in Cleveland, it will be the Browns' second try with a combination of a former Patriots defensive coordinator (Mangini) and Ravens front office member (Kokinis).
Too bad the phrase isn't "second time's a charm" because this just doesn't feel good.
There is also a big snag in this whole scenario. Kokinis can't interview until Sunday.
Still, that could leave the Lions, Broncos and Chiefs open to making personnel moves, leaving the Browns hoping Kokinis works.
Or, do the Browns go back to Scott Pioli of the Patriots now, even though he would want to bring in Kirk Ferentz of Iowa as the head coach?
This all quickly turned into a mess. Patrick McManamon has more on that mess here. Regardless, it makes me think of this photo of Randy Lerner after Butch Davis quit.
Note: Thanks to commentator Joe G. For the tip on Kokinis' interview availability. If you have any other tip and don't want to leave a comment, e-mail me at dan@ohio.com.
We all should be worried. Randy is a good guy, but he's hardly the shrewd businessman his late father was. Randy is a man who has inherited his fortune, and has promptly done nothing with it other than sell off MBNA to Bank of America. His family's fortune is based in the Browns, and primarily the sale of MBNA.
It seems like Mangini came in there and wowed Randy, which is fantastic. But he's not the most important hiring here. Mangini does not have the NFL clout to pick his own personnel man. Allowing him to cherry pick his boss, like you said, is just insanity.
It seems the charm has worn off Pioli, which is okay. Just make it clear to Mangini that he is going to have to work with whoever the Browns make GM, and if he doesn't, he can walk.
When the person giving the interview has already lost control of the hiring process, it's time to re-evaluate the situation.
The plain dealer is reporting that the ravens, even if they win, are letting Kokinis do interviews on sunday.
Good looking out Joe. Thanks.
Also, someone e-mailed me asking if, based on that photo, Randy Lerner joined the venerable Four Horsemen with Ric Flair and Arn Anderson. He, sadly, did not.