KOKINIS OUT AS CLEVELAND BROWNS GM

The Cleveland Browns have sent their general manager packing after less than a year on the job.  George Kokinis has been ‘relieved of his duties’ as of Monday and neither the Browns nor anyone associated with the team is giving much of an explanation.  The move was highly unexpected both locally and around the NFL despite the team’s dismal 1-7 start to the season due to Kokinis short tenure on the job and good relationship with those within the organization.

On Tuesday, no one was providing much insight as to the circumstances and reasons for Kokinis’ dismissal.  Eric Mangini deflected several questions about the situation at his weekly media conference but did have this to say:

“Anytime a decision like this is made it is difficult personally and professionally. George is a friend of mine and I respect him and I wish his family well. I can tell you that for a variety of reasons things didn't work out. You never go into a situation like this with the intention of it not working out.”

"We felt that, organizationally, this was the best decision in order to move forward."

When asked if there are non football related reasons for the dismissal and legal reasons why he couldn’t speak in greater detail, Mangini would only confirm:

"There's really a variety of reasons and I'll just leave it at that."

There have been a variety of rumors surrounding the situation, with the suggestion being that Kokinis refused to resign when asked to do so by team owner Randy Lerner.  He then sought a dismissal ‘for cause’ to get Kokinis out the door.  Several Cleveland media outlets have reported that Kokinis was escorted from the building by security after being relieved of his duties mid-day Monday.  The Browns issued a statement denying that that version of events:

“Cleveland Browns general manager George Kokinis is no longer actively involved with the organization. In response to rumors and reports that Kokinis was escorted out of the building today, the Browns deny those reports. In the interest of protecting the parties involved we will withhold further comment."

Team owner Lerner was unavailable for comment following the Kokinis ouster, but had this statement for Cleveland media after Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Bears:

"The highest priority that I have is a strong, credible, serious leader within the building to guide decisions in a far more conspicuous, open transparent way. I can maybe defend decisions by saying I've sought advice and I've brought people in, and we've gone to see people -- and I think my highest priority is to have a stable figure that represents the voice that explains the decisions."

At this point, there’s no indication who the ‘strong, credible, serious leader’ might be.  There are media reports indicating that the team is trying to hire former NFL GM Ernie Accorsi as a ‘consultant’ but the Browns are keeping any other front office moves under wraps for now.