Cleveland Browns Hire Mike Pettine as New Coach

The Browns have hired Buffalo defensive coordinator Mike Pettine (PEHT'-ihn) as their coach, ending a nearly four-week search. He replaces the fired Rob Chudzinski, who was given only one season to prove himself.

The 47-year-old Pettine spent one year with the Bills after four as the New York Jets defensive coordinator. He inherits a Cleveland team that went 4-12 this season after losing its last seven games.

Pettine becomes Cleveland's seventh full-time coach since 1999, and fourth in six years. It's his first NFL head coaching job.

In a related development, the Browns say assistant general manager Ray Farmer is staying with the team after withdrawing from consideration for the job of general manager with the Miami Dolphins.