Former Bama QB Freddie Kitchens Named Browns Head Coach

CLEVELAND, OH - He was one of the most prolific passers in the Gene Stallings era at the University of Alabama, and now will take over the helm as the head coach for the Cleveland Browns. Attalla's Freddie Kitchens, who played for the Crimson Tide from 1993-97, was named the Browns head coach Wednesday, according to sources.

The Browns interviewed Kitchens on Monday and made the hiring decision on Wednesday. Seven different candidates interviewed for the head coaching position.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen first reported the hiring on Wednesday afternoon. Interim head coach Gregg Williams will likely leave the team after Kitchens' hiring. An official team announcement is expected Wednesday afternoon.

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Kitchens was the team's interim offensive coordinator during the second half of the season, a second half that saw the Browns offense improved drastically under Kitchens, bumping its game-to-game scoring average to 23.7 from 21.1.

Kitchens began his coaching career shortly after leaving Alabama, working as an assistant with Mississippi State, LSU and North texas before taking his first NFL coaching gig with the Dallas Cowboys as a tight ends coach in 2006. He later worked with Carson Palmer in Arizona and was hired in Cleveland before this season.

At the time of his departure from the Crimson Tide, Kitchens ranked third in the school's history in career passing attempts, fourth in career passing yards and fifth in career completions. During his three seasons as a starter Alabama went 22-13 and played in the 1993 Gator Bowl, 1994 Citrus Bowl, and the 1996 Outback Bowl.

Photo by Jamie Squire/Allsport