Menu
Download the app

SBJ subscribers – Enhance your experience with the revamped iOS app

Franchises

Browns Hiring DePodesta Could Revolutionize NFL, Bringing Analytics To The Forefront

The Browns' hiring "baseball analytics mastermind" Paul DePodesta to serve as their Chief Strategy Officer "may go down as one of the more revolutionary decisions in recent NFL history," according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSPORTS.com. It also could become a "footnote in the endless chapters of distress that Browns fans have been crying their way through for several decades now." Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam III "has empowered DePodesta ... to essentially put in place the infrastructure of what should be a front office and management approach unlike anything we've seen in the NFL before." DePodesta has been tasked with taking the Browns "over the top in terms of commitment to advanced metrics and strategic thinking through the organization at a time when many NFL clubs dabble with it." However, it has largely been viewed "as an outpost for non-playing nerds, with neither the coaching side nor football operations truly embracing it or really knowing what to do with it." The Browns have now "created a structure in which there are four prongs to the organization -- four franchise chiefs who report directly to Haslam."  DePodesta will oversee analytics, while new Exec VP/Football Operations Sashi Brown has "full control of the roster and transactions." Team President Alec Scheiner "continues to oversee the business operations," and whoever becomes the new coach "makes four." La Canfora notes that is "unlike anything I've heard of before in this sport." La Canfora: "I wouldn't call it trying to reinvent the wheel ... but Haslam has certainly added another spoke to the wheel, and a large one at that" (CBSSPORTS.com, 1/5). The AP's Tom Withers notes DePodesta "will join Haslam’s committee to search for the team’s coach" (AP, 1/6).

BOLD MOVE: SI.com's Andrew Perloff wrote the Browns "made a bold and innovative decision" by bringing DePodesta on board. Traditional football observers and disgruntled Browns fans "may not feel that it's so bold and innovative right now, but if the organization gives DePodesta a little time, he has a great chance to succeed." The Browns "are taking a risk by giving DePodesta this kind of power," but they are in a "great position to do so." If it pays off, they "could be on the forefront of team-building strategy in the NFL" (SI.com, 1/5). NFL.com's Marc Sessler wrote DePodesta and Brown "form an intriguing combination of original thinkers atop a franchise that could use some original thinking" (NFL.com, 1/5). YAHOO SPORTS' Tim Brown wrote, "I love the hire. I love DePodesta’s decision to give it a shot. I think he’ll be good at it and the Browns will be better for it. They won’t be worse for it." DePodesta is "curious" and "intelligent." He has "always thought outside the box" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 1/5).

BELIEVE IT: ESPN CLEVELAND's Pat McManamon wrote if the Browns "are emphasizing analytics to the extreme," they will need to find a coach "who buys into the thinking." If it is "one tool in personnel assessment, they will have to find someone who at least believes in it." There may be "tensions between non-football and football people making decisions." DePodesta "could be a wise hire to maximize analytics," but the key is that it is "one tool, not the only one" (ESPNCLEVELAND.com, 1/5). In Akron, Marla Ridenour writes it "appears the Browns still believe they’re smarter than everyone else." The addition of DePodesta "completed an analytics triumvirate at the top of the organization," as he joins Brown and Scheiner as "advocates of advanced statistical analysis." But their position at the top of the Browns’ hierarchy, just below Haslam, "makes one wonder." Ridenour: "Who’s going to be the judge of a potential Browns players’ heart, character and love for football? ... I still fear that the organizational structure and emphasis on analytics might hurt the Browns in their search for a coach and general manager, essentially a director of player personnel under the new setup." There are "too many people calling the team’s reorganization 'a recipe for disaster' not to listen and fear doom" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 1/6). In Cleveland, Terry Pluto noted former Browns CEO Joe Banner "pushed analytics when he was with the team" in '13. He sponsored the "now-famous $100,000 quarterback study" around the '14 draft that ranked Teddy Bridgewater as the best prospect. Johnny Manziel, who the Browns ended up selecting, "was red-flagged and ranked low." The Browns' recent drafts "have been so bad, they scream for a new approach." They need to find people who "appreciate analytics and other data, but have the people skills to bring the numbers alive." A big part of Brown's job "will be having the various football people work together" (CLEVELAND.com, 1/5).

JUST AS DEE-SERVING
: The BEACON JOURNAL's Ridenour writes sports talk radio "was rampant with sexism after Haslam named his wife to be part of the selection committee" for the new coach and GM. Ridenour: "I laud Haslam for including Dee, who I hope will be a good judge of character and people skills needed in both men hired." She is "just as deserving of being on the committee as former general counsel Brown." Ridenour: "Let’s hope she can help identify a coach who is not only a leader, but has the heart and passion to foster a family atmosphere on the team" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 1/6).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 25, 2024

NFL meeting preview; MLB's opening week ad effort and remembering Peter Angelos.

Big Get Jay Wright, March Madness is upon us and ESPN locks up CFP

On this week’s pod, our Big Get is CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jay Wright. The NCAA Championship-winning coach shares his insight with SBJ’s Austin Karp on key hoops issues and why being well dressed is an important part of his success. Also on the show, Poynter Institute senior writer Tom Jones shares who he has up and who is down in sports media. Later, SBJ’s Ben Portnoy talks the latest on ESPN’s CFP extension and who CBS, TNT Sports and ESPN need to make deep runs in the men’s and women's NCAA basketball tournaments.

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2016/01/06/Franchises/Browns.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2016/01/06/Franchises/Browns.aspx

CLOSE