Browns Vice Chair Bob Kain Leaves Team; Kokinis Introduced As GM

Kain Says Departure  Not Related To Hirings

Browns Vice Chair Bob Kain yesterday said that his work with the team is "done and he no longer will be a part of the team's hierarchy," according to Tony Grossi of the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER. Kain, who formerly served as IMG co-CEO, was "instrumental" in Browns Owner Randy Lerner's purchase of English Premier League club Aston Villa and its "business and marketing startup." Kain insisted that his departure is not related to the Browns' recent hirings of GM George Kokinis and coach Eric Mangini. Kain said that he "already is involved in another project more in step with his marketing background" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 1/27). In Akron, Patrick McManamon notes Kain joined the Browns in '06 after serving on Aston Villa's BOD. Kain's "experience and intelligence meant that he brought great perspective and insight to the Browns." Part of his duties with the team included "conducting an in-depth study of the team's business operations," and he "wound up assisting on everything from marketing to media relations" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 1/27).

A NEW BIG DAWG IN TOWN: The PLAIN DEALER's Grossi notes Kokinis during his introductory press conference yesterday "chose his words carefully and spoke in generalities about joining Mangini in the latest Browns rebuilding project." Kokinis said that he "would be in charge of selecting the 53-player roster," as former GM Phil Savage was, but Kokinis "continually emphasized that he and Mangini, a longtime friend, would work in concert" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 1/27). In Cleveland, Terry Pluto writes someone "must have the final say on the roster, be it the coach or the GM," because "not every decision can be the product of a 'consensus.'" Kokinis and Mangini "need to clear all this up well before" the NFL Draft and free agency. The Browns "need one vision, one set of plans for the roster right now," which is where the "previous relationship between Kokinis and Mangini should be an advantage, as they can move forward quickly in some of these areas rather than having to agonize over every detail" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 1/27).

Writers Wonder Why Lerner Is Not More Available To Media, Public

LIVE & LERNER: In Ohio, Jim Ingraham wrote Lerner, whose "inability to figure out how to run a successful NFL franchise has reached infamous proportions, enjoys, concurrently and inexplicably, near mythic status in England, where he has orchestrated the rebirth of Aston Villa from decades of failure into one of [the EPL's] elite football clubs." Aston Villa currently sits fourth in the EPL standings, and Birmingham Mail Aston Villa beat reporter Bill Howell said of Lerner, "At the matches the fans chant his name. He is extremely popular over here." Howell added, "Randy has totally reinvigorated the Aston Villa club. He has spent money, but spent it wisely. He has done a lot to rebuild the image of the club." Ingraham wondered, "How can the same millionaire owner be so wrong and reviled on one side of the Atlantic and so right and revered on the other side?" Howell said, "We're all aware over here that Randy owns the Cleveland Browns, and that the team has struggled. We also have heard that he doesn't talk much or get seen very often in your country. It's the same over here. We rarely see him, and he never says anything. I think he's only addressed the media here maybe two times in the four years he's owned the team. But the one or two times he's done so he's always been witty and courteous, and you think to yourself why doesn't he do this more often?" (Lorain MORNING JOURNAL, 1/26). Kokinis yesterday said of Lerner, "I do believe in this owner. He loves the Browns. He wants them to be great. And that's important" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 1/27).