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Freddie Kitchens: Browns will be built on trust and respect

New coach Freddie Kitchens says that going forward, the Cleveland Browns will be built on trust and respect.
Credit: Matt Florjancic
New Cleveland Browns coach Freddie Kitchens (left) and general manager John Dorsey (right) pose for photos after the prior's introductory press conference at FirstEnergy Stadium Monday.

CLEVELAND — “Internal discord” was cited as the reason why the Cleveland Browns made the unprecedented midseason decision to fire both coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley with eight games left to play.

With that in mind, new coach Freddie Kitchens, who was on the same staff with Jackson and Haley and took over as the play-caller on October 29, 2018, has established two pillars for the organization going forward.

“The relationships that you build in this business have to earn trust and respect and we are going to always -- everything that we do within this organization, is going to be trust and respect-oriented,” Kitchens said during his introductory press conference at FirstEnergy Stadium Monday.

“That allows you to understand that you can have tough conversations with that. You can understand that different people have different beliefs and if you spend time listening, instead of just hearing, then sometimes, maybe you can learn some things.”

Credit: Matt Florjancic
New Cleveland Browns coach Freddie Kitchens says the fun is in winning, and we're going to have a damn good time doing it.

Not considered a head-coaching candidate when general manager John Dorsey came to the Browns in December of 2017, Kitchens earned the respect and trust of the organization with his accomplishments over the second half of the season.

Under Kitchens’ direction, quarterback Baker Mayfield completed 180 of his 263 attempts (68.4 percent) for 2,254 yards and 19 touchdowns against eight interceptions. Mayfield averaged 281.75 yards and 2.375 touchdowns per game with Kitchens calling the plays.

First-year rusher Nick Chubb finished the 2018 season, one in which he was seldom used in the first seven games, with 996 yards and eight touchdowns on 192 carries. Chubb had 11 20-yard runs, four 40-yard bursts and 47 first-down conversions.

Chubb rushed for 788 of his 996 yards and five of his eight touchdowns on 140 carries with Kitchens calling the plays.

“I think the No. 1 thing would be trust and respect,” Kitchens said of his relationship with Mayfield. “You earn respect by them knowing you know what to do from a verbal or scheme [perspective], or whatever. You earn trust by talking and figuring out who the person is.

“When you tear away all of the façade, who is the person and what makes him tick? Once you get to know the person, again, it enables you to have tough conversations. Those tough conversations are the ones -- those butt chewings -- those are the ones that get them better. And sometimes, they need confidence, but you have to tear away the façade and see what the kid needs, and then, you can get him better. Then, the relationship forms.”

Credit: Charles LeClaire
Cleveland Browns associate head coach Freddie Kitchens reacts on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

Kitchens promised to help foster a collaborative spirit among coaches, players and with the front office as the Browns look to keep the good times from the second half of the 2018 season rolling in 2019.

“I learned a long time ago that this is a people business,” Kitchens said. “People tend to forget what goes on to get you to the field. Between the meeting rooms, the practice field, and ultimately, to the game field, there has to be conversation. It has to be real-life conversation because a lot of times, football is not everyone’s life all of the time, so you better get to know the person.”

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