The Cleveland Browns parted ways with special teams coordinator Mike Priefer after four seasons on Tuesday.
Multiple reports said the Browns have requested interviews with special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone of the Indianapolis Colts and special teams assistant Anthony Blevins of the New York Giants.
Priefer, 56, is a Cleveland native who was hired by coach Freddie Kitchens in 2019 and then retained by Kevin Stefanski.
After Stefanski tested positive for COVID-19, Priefer was the acting head coach for the Browns’ 48-37 wild-card win against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Jan. 10, 2021.
“I appreciate everything Prief has done for this team in his three seasons as my special teams coordinator, but I have decided to move in another direction in the best interest of our organization,” Stefanski said. “I know this city will forever be grateful for the job he did as acting head coach in our AFC Wildcard win and for all his contributions while leading the Browns’ special teams’ units for the last four seasons. We wish Prief the best with his next opportunity.”
Priefer has also been the special teams coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings (2011-18), Denver Broncos (2009-10) and Kansas City Chiefs (2006-08).
Ventrone, 40, was a special teams standout for the Browns from 2009-12 during an eight-year career that included stops with the New England Patriots (2007-08) and San Francisco 49ers (2013-14).
Ventrone was an assistant special teams coach with the Patriots from 2015-17 before becoming the coordinator in Indianapolis in 2018.
Blevins, 46, has been with the Giants since 2018. He also worked on the special teams staff for the Arizona Cardinals from 2013-17.
–Field Level Media
