Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Ray Horton is seriously flirting with a return to the Browns, and longtime NFL offensive assistant Al Saunders will likely reunite with coach Hue Jackson in Cleveland.
Horton interviewed Tuesday in Northeast Ohio for the Browns’ defensive coordinator opening, and Saunders has also interviewed for a role in which he would assist Jackson with the offense, a source familiar with the situation said. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the situation.
In 2013, Horton served as the Browns’ defensive coordinator under coach Rob Chudzinski. But when owner Jimmy Haslam and former CEO Joe Banner fired Chudzinski after he went 4-12 during his first season on the job, Horton left along with the vast majority of the assistants.
When Jackson was head coach of the Oakland Raiders in 2011, Saunders was his offensive coordinator. Jackson was fired after going 8-8 in his only season at the helm of the Raiders partly because sweeping changes were made in the aftermath of owner Al Davis’ death.
Saunders and Jackson haven’t worked together since then, but that’s expected to change soon.
Horton, 55, spent the past two seasons as the defensive coordinator of the Titans but took a backseat to mentor and former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau last year when he became Tennessee’s assistant head coach/defense.
In 2015, the Titans ranked 27th in the NFL in points allowed (26.4 per game) and 12th in total defense (342.2 yards allowed a game), seventh against the pass (229.9) and 18th against the run (112.3). In 2014, they tied for 29th in points allowed (27.4) and finished 27th in total defense (373), 15th against the pass (235.8) and 31st against the run (137.2).
Horton uses a 3-4, multi-front scheme, which isn’t radically different from the 3-4, hybrid system employed the past two years by former Browns coach Mike Pettine and ex-defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil.
In 2015, the Browns ranked 29th in points allowed (27) and 27th in total defense (379.2), 22nd against the pass (250.8) and 30th against the run (128.4).
During Horton’s brief stint with the Browns, they ranked 23rd in points allowed (25.4) and ninth in total defense (332.4). They finished 18th against the run (111.3) and tied for eighth against the pass (221.1).
The defense also tied for 29th in the red zone (allowing touchdowns 64 percent of the time) and ranked 31st on third down (allowing opponents to convert 44.7 percent) in 2013. Horton’s men struggled mightily at the end of the second and fourth quarters, blowing several leads. They allowed a league-high 145 points in the final quarter. In a three-game stretch, the Browns surrendered four touchdowns during the final 2:17 in losses to the Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots and Chicago Bears.
“I’m really disappointed that I didn’t do a better job of helping our team win more games,” Horton said three days before the 2013 season finale. “... I’m disappointed that I didn’t get our guys, my guys, better equipped to finish, whether it’s the fourth quarter or however that comes out because we didn’t finish, and that falls on my shoulders.”
So Horton will have a chance to address some unfinished business in Cleveland if Jackson hires him. NFL Network reported the Browns are still paying him for his first tour with them.
On Sunday, Fritz Pollard Alliance chairman John Wooten told the Tennessean that Horton was insulted by the Titans after interviewing for their head-coaching gig Saturday, only to be passed over for Mike Mularkey. Wooten, who promotes minority hiring in the NFL, also said Horton requested to be let out of his contract, Titans president and CEO Steve Underwood told Horton the request would be granted and Horton would join the Browns.
But not long after Wooten’s quotes circulated online Sunday, Horton told ESPN.com he wasn’t insulted by the Titans and he had been discussing a potential contract extension with them.
Then on Monday, Horton received permission from the Titans to interview with the Browns. Mularkey revealed during a news conference the same day he had a good feeling LeBeau would return to the Titans and when asked whether Horton requested to leave, he said, “I’m not going to comment. That was part of the conversation, but I’m not going to [comment].”
Before Horton joined the Browns three years ago, he spent two seasons as the defensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals. He coached defensive backs for the Steelers from 2004-10.
Horton played defensive back in the NFL from 1983-92. The Cincinnati Bengals selected him in the second round (53rd overall) of the 1983 NFL Draft. He also played for the Dallas Cowboys, winning Super Bowl XXVII in the final game of his career.
The Browns also talked to former Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz about becoming their defensive coordinator, though the Philadelphia Eagles hired him Tuesday.
As for Saunders, CBSSports.com labeled him a strong candidate to join the Browns.
Saunders, 68, is the former head coach of the San Diego Chargers (1986-88) who has worked as an offensive coordinator for Kansas City (2001-05), Washington (2006-07), St. Louis (2008) and Oakland (2011).
Since then, he has been a senior offensive assistant for the Raiders (2012-14) and Miami Dolphins (2015).
Jackson has said he doesn’t plan on hiring an offensive coordinator because he’s inclined to call the plays, so Saunders would likely be a senior offensive assistant.
Former Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton is in line for the title of assistant head coach/offense and Minnesota Vikings running backs coach Kirby Wilson for the title of running game coordinator, according to reports. Wilson, whose contract with the Vikings expired Tuesday, will interview with the Browns on Wednesday, ESPN.com reported.
Jackson has interviewed former Colts offensive line coach Hal Hunter, too.
Retaining special teams coordinator Chris Tabor is the only move the Browns have announced since Jackson was hired Jan. 13.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Browns blog at www.ohio.com/browns. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ and on Facebook www.facebook.com/abj.sports.