The Browns' search for their new head coach started and ended with the same man — former St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur.

On Thursday, Shurmur was hired as the Browns' head coach, the team announced. Last Friday, Shurmur became the first of three candidates known to interview with the Browns for their head coaching vacancy.

Shurmur replaces coach Eric Mangini, who was fired Jan. 3 after guiding the team to records of 5-11 in consecutive seasons. The Browns are scheduled to formally introduce Shurmur as the 13th full-time head coach in franchise history at a news conference at 11 a.m. Friday.

Shurmur, 45, has never been a head coach before, and he has been an offensive coordinator for just the past two seasons. But Shurmur's ties to the Browns' front office and roots in the West Coast offense helped his cause.

Shurmur, President Mike Holmgren and General Manager Tom Heckert have the same agent, Bob LaMonte. As an assistant coach for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1999-2008, Shurmur learned the West Coast system from coach Andy Reid, one of Holmgren's proteges. He also got to know Heckert, who worked in the Eagles' front office for nine years. He is the nephew of the late Fritz Shurmur, who was a defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers while Holmgren was the coach.

"It’s an honor and a privilege to join an organization with such a rich history and tradition as the Cleveland Browns," Shurmur said in a statement. “I have the utmost respect for coach Holmgren and Tom Heckert, and I am impressed with the direction in which they have this franchise going. I have known Tom for most of my pro coaching career, and while we were in Philadelphia, he and I developed an outstanding relationship. I want to thank Mike and Tom, as well as (Browns owner) Randy Lerner, for this tremendous opportunity. I also want to thank the St. Louis Rams and (coach) Steve Spagnuolo for two terrific seasons and for giving me a chance to be a coordinator at this level.  I am looking forward to this challenge and can’t wait to get started in helping to build the Browns back to one of the elite teams in the NFL."

The Browns also interviewed Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, 49, last Saturday and New York Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, 48, on Tuesday. Shurmur, though, had the first interview, and he never lost the lead.

Shurmur is an offensive-minded coach who has experience developing young quarterbacks. He helped Donovan McNabb earn three Pro Bowl selections, and his most recent work was with Rams quarterback Sam Bradford. Shurmur's attributes appeal to Holmgren, who said he wanted a coach who had "a little bit more pizzazz" and the ability to help shape Browns quarterback Colt McCoy.

"I am extremely excited about having Pat Shurmur as the next head coach of the Cleveland Browns," Holmgren said in a statement. "Pat is a bright, young man who grew up in football and around the coaching profession.  I came away from our interview very impressed with him as a person, his extensive knowledge of the game and his track record of success as an assistant coach in this league. Most importantly, I feel as though he possesses the necessary qualities which make him the right man to lead our football team."

Shurmur's coaching resume

• 1988-89: Michigan State University, graduate assistant coach
• 1990-97: Michigan State University, tight ends/special teams/offensive line coach
• 1998: Stanford University, offensive line coach
• 1999-2001: Philadelphia Eagles, tight ends/offensive line coach
• 2002-08: Philadelphia Eagles, quarterbacks coach
• 2009-10: St. Louis Rams, offensive coordinator
• 2011: Cleveland Browns, head coach

The Browns named Pat Shurmur as their 13th full-time coach today, but was it the right move?

Keep up with the Browns by reading the following stories:

• Ohio.com: The Browns are reportedly trying to finalize a contract with St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, so they can introduce him as their head coach at a news conference Friday.
• Ohio.com: Browns President Mike Holmgren will need to sell Shurmur to the fans.

• Cleveland.com: Browns fans should trust Holmgren's pick for head coach.

• CantonRep.com: Past hires could shed light on the Browns' choice for head coach.

• Chronicle.NorthCoastNow.com: Shurmur was the first candidate to interview with the Browns, and he has not lost the lead.

• News-Herald.com: Apparently, high-profile coaches like Jon Gruden and John Fox were never really in the running to become the Browns' head coach.

The Browns hope to finalize a contract with St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur in the next 48 hours and introduce him as their new head coach at a news conference Friday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Wednesday evening.

Shurmur, 45, interviewed with the Browns this past Friday and he emerged as the front-runner to succeed coach Eric Mangini, who was fired Jan. 3, several national analysts have said. The Browns have also interviewed Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, 49, and New York Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, 48.

Browns President Mike Holmgren and General Manager Tom Heckert have the same agent, Bob LaMonte, as Shurmur, so getting a deal done should be a smooth process. Shurmur's ties to the Browns' brass don't end with shared representation, though.

As an assistant coach for the Philadelphia Eagles (1999-2008), Shurmur developed roots in Holmgren's coaching tree by learning the West Coast offense from coach Andy Reid. He also became familiar with Heckert, who worked in the Eagles' front office (2001-09). His late uncle was Fritz Shurmur, who was defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers while Holmgren was the coach.

In addition to his connections with the Browns' front office, Shurmur is an offensive-minded coach who has experience molding young quarterbacks — most recently Sam Bradford. Those factors appeal to Holmgren, too.

Shurmur would become a head coach for the first time if the Browns hire him. He has been the Rams' offensive coordinator for just the past two seasons. He was a tight ends/offensive line coach with the Eagles from 1999-2001, then a quarterbacks coach for the Eagles from 2002-08.

Before launching his NFL coaching career, he was an assistant coach at Michigan State University and  Stanford University. As a player, he was an offensive lineman and linebacker at Michigan State.

St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has emerged as the favorite to become the Browns' next head coach, several national analysts have said. On Tuesday night, Sports Illustrated's Peter King posted the following message on Twitter: "Hearing the Browns could have a coach in place by Thursday. [They're] now looking for a defensive coordinator. Pat Shurmur still the best guess [for head coach]."

Shurmur's connections with the Browns' front office have been well-documented. Shurmur, 45, also has roots in the West Coast offense and experience molding young quarterbacks. Those factors appeal to Browns President Mike Holmgren.

But Shurmur has never been a head coach. He was a tight ends/offensive line coach with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1999-2001, then a quarterbacks coach for the Eagles from 2002-08. He has been the Rams' offensive coordinator for just the past two seasons.

Holmgren, however, might hire Shurmur despite his lack of head-coaching experience. So this is the question:

Keep up with the Browns by reading the following stories:

• Ohio.com: St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur's chances of becoming the Browns' next head coach increase as Jon Gruden rejects a return to the sideline in 2011.
• Ohio.com: Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, a member of the NFL Players Association's executive committee, says the league's proposed 18-game schedule "feels like a slap in the face."

• Cleveland.com: The Browns are moving beyond Gruden, and Shurmur remains the projected favorite.

• CantonRep.com: The Browns interview New York Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell.

• Chronicle.NorthCoastNow.com: Gruden says he'll stick with his TV job in 2011.

• News-Herald.com: The players' union states its case with a lockout looming.

Browns fans who hope Jon Gruden will coach their favorite team in 2011 could not have liked what they heard early Tuesday morning at the end of ESPN Radio's broadcast of the BCS National Championship game.

As the broadcast wound down, play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico asked Gruden if he would take one of the many coaching jobs for which he has been rumored to be a candidate. Gruden replied by saying, "No, heck no. I'll be back with you." Tirico then laughed and said he is tired of people asking him about Gruden's future.

Gruden, a Sandusky native and former head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders, is often described as a potential candidate to become the next head coach of the Browns because of his ties with team president Mike Holmgren and the state of Ohio. But if Gruden sticks to what he said shortly after midnight, it won't happen.

Updated at 4:52 p.m.

Wide receivers coach George McDonald will leave the Browns to hold the same position with the University of Miami football team. Hurricanes coach Al Golden announced McDonald's hiring on Tuesday.

McDonald joined the Browns' coaching staff in 2009 after serving as an assistant at Bucknell University, Northern Illinois University, Stanford University, Western Michigan University and the University of Minnesota.

Browns President Mike Holmgren said he would meet with the assistant coaches on Monday. On Tuesday, a team spokesman said Holmgren's previously scheduled meeting with the assistant coaches was postponed. The spokesman said he did not know when the meeting will take place.

All of the other assistants who served under coach Eric Mangini, who was fired Jan. 3, this past season are still under contract with the Browns. As of Tuesday, the status of the assistant coaches remained unchanged, with the exception of McDonald.

Keep up with the Browns by reading the following stories:

• Ohio.com: New York Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell is set to interview with the Browns on Tuesday, and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg is left waiting for an invitation.
• Ohio.com: Marla Ridenour blog: If only the Browns would have drafted Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice.

• Cleveland.com: Fewell is known for bringing an energetic approach to his job.

• CantonRep.com: Who is St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur?

• Chronicle.NorthCoastNow.com: Jon Gruden remains quiet about the Browns' head coaching vacancy, but an ESPN spokesman said Gruden is committed to the network.

• News-Herald.com: Shurmur could be the Browns' leading head coaching candidate.

Keep up with the Browns by reading the following stories:

• Ohio.com: The connections between St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and the Browns' front office should not be overlooked.

• The Associated Press via Yahoo.com: Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey is mum about his interview with the Browns.

• Cleveland.com: Eric Mangini's foundation worked for the New York Jets, so why can't it work for the Browns?

• Chronicle.NorthCoastNow.com: With a potential lockout looming, some Browns players are looking for other jobs.

• News-Herald.com: The Browns' assistant coaches could learn their fate today.