WICKLIFFE, Ohio - Kenney Walker, a 2007 graduate, has gone from being a Plain Dealer boys soccer player of the year to just finishing his first Major League Soccer season with the Los Angeles Galaxy organization, which boasted international stars David Beckham and Landon Donovan on its roster. Walker, a midfielder, was a four-year starter at Louisville, accounting for five...

Former Wickliffe soccer standout Kenney Walker just completed his first season with the Los Angeles Galaxy organization in the MLS. - (Special to The Plain Dealer)

WICKLIFFE, Ohio - Kenney Walker, a 2007 graduate, has gone from being a Plain Dealer boys soccer player of the year to just finishing his first Major League Soccer season with the Los Angeles Galaxy organization, which boasted international stars David Beckham and Landon Donovan on its roster.

Walker, a midfielder, was a four-year starter at Louisville, accounting for five goals and six assists his senior season to help the Cardinals reach the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals.

He earned a degree in exercise science before being picked in the second round, 38th overall, in the MLS Draft.

"Los Angeles is different," said Walker. "I like the warm weather, but it's very fast-paced there, and the cost of living is fairly high."

Walker, who played youth baseball before "getting bored while playing the outfield," switched his interest to soccer when he was 7 years old.

"I took [to soccer] quickly because I was fast and always running," said Walker, who ran track in middle school and as a high school freshman.

Walker scored seven goals while leading Wickliffe to an 18-4-1 record, along with a Division III state runner-up finish as a senior, his lone high school season.

At Louisville, he accounted for four goals and 12 assists his junior and sophomore years after tallying 25 goals as a freshman.

"I like scoring goals, but I enjoy getting the other players involved in the offense even more," said Walker, who turned 24 on Dec. 23.

He went scoreless in the only match he played in with the Galaxy after seeing plenty of playing time on the organization's Reserve League team, which won the West Division title.

"It's a much quicker game at the professional level, but it's also more of a mental game than physical game at this level," said Walker (5-9, 170 pounds). "But I'm living a dream because I've wanted to be a professional soccer player ever since I took up the sport."

Walker's long-range goals include coaching and becoming a personal trainer. He bikes and plays basketball in his spare time and recently took up photography.

Send suggestions on people or stories we should update for the weekly "Whatever happened to . . . ?" series to Metropolitan Sports Editor Kristen Davis at kdavis@plaind.com, or call 216-999-6163.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - This is an anniversary that can make you squeamish. Miles McQuinn handled it. So can you.

St. Ignatius senior Miles McQuinn is back on the ice this season after suffering a nasty injury last January when an opponent’s skate blade got under the top of his boot and cut the back of his right leg, severing his Achilles tendon. A captain this winter, he had led the young Wildcats to a surprising 15-4-3 record and No. 1 state ranking. - (Tim Harrison, Special to The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - This is an anniversary that can make you squeamish.

Miles McQuinn handled it. So can you.

A year ago in the championship game at the Meadville (Pa.) Martin Luther King Holiday hockey tournament, St. Ignatius was coasting to a 4-0 win against Peters Township (Pa.). Nothing out of the ordinary as the Wildcats were on their way to improving to 28-0 on the season.

McQuinn, a junior, was part of the scoring machine that included seniors Liam Geither at 56 goals and Paddy Spellacy at 43. Nothing but a steamroller ride to a state championship was in the works.

But it took a different route when McQuinn's season ended in grisly fashion. Somehow, an opponent's skate got under the top of McQuinn's right skate boot and cut the back of his leg.

"There were about seven minutes left and I figured it would be my last shift," said McQuinn, not wincing in the least, unlike his interviewer, at the memory. "I went around a guy and just remember falling. The whistle blew and it felt like I broke my skate blade. It didn't feel like I was hurt. We had played St. Ed's in the morning and that's when you expect to get beat up."

But back on the bench blood was filling up his skate boot. It was off to the hospital for stitches and a preliminary examination.

Days later the official bad news came -- the Achilles tendon had been severed. McQuinn's season was over at 30 goals and 40 assists. The Wildcats reached 39-0, but had their season derailed when St. Edward knocked them off in the district final, 3-2.

"That was the worst day of my life," said McQuinn, forced to watch as his teammates fell short against their bitter rival. "It didn't feel right to be in the stands. I had so much chemistry with Liam. We were partners in crime."

That disappointment aside, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound McQuinn had to get serious and deal with his medical issues if he was going be back on the ice for his senior season.

Dr. Alan Davis, orthopedic surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic, said McQuinn's injury was one of the more severe he has seen. While a torn or ruptured Achilles is bad enough, dealing with a sizable gouge added ramifications.

"The laceration is more uncommon," said Davis, at the clinic since 1984. "We not only had to deal with reattaching the tendon, but with the skin. The more common injury is to a middle-aged person in recreation or work.

"We were fortunate enough to have a dedicated patient and family. We can do all our best work, but the patient has to be willing to do the rehabilitation. Miles did everything we asked and did it well. That's what makes it work."

With a jagged, six-inch scar that snaked its way vertically behind his right leg, McQuinn entered the world of Cleveland Clinic physical therapist Dolly Hritz. For hours over four months, Hritz put him through a series of stretching and strengthening exercises that McQuinn performed daily.

"It was one of the most unique injuries and incisions I've ever had to work with," said Hritz. "Of all the people that have had that type of surgery, he was one of the best and fastest to recover. He did a fantastic job."

Finally, in late May, McQuinn said he decided it was time to give his skates a try during a public session at Serpentini Winterhurst Arena. He did some stick handling in June and played for a short time in a scrimmage later that month.

"I had to hold myself back because I was still recovering," said McQuinn, calling that the toughest part of the recovery. "I was kind of lucky because if I had to come back in a different sport it would have been harder. In hockey it's more of a pushing sport. People were telling me I'd be out eight or nine months. I made it in four."

It's also one where an injury will force some changes. McQuinn, as well as all of the Wildcats, now wear protective kevlar skating socks under their uniform socks. The knee-length socks, made with nylon and glass polymers, are designed to prevent cuts to the tendon area. They cost approximately $30.

McQuinn said he had a scare in October when a player's skate nearly caused a repeat injury.

"The socks proved they work," he said. "Everyone should have them. It should be a rule."

McQuinn, 18, played his freshman season with the Cleveland Junior Barons. With the graduation of 15 seniors, the Wildcats returned only six upperclassmen this year and there was the possibility McQuinn would opt out of an expected rebuilding year.

No way.

"We sat down in the summer, like we would with any player, and let's think it out," said veteran St. Ignatius coach Pat O'Rourke. "He had a little bit taken away from him last year. One of the things was he was going to be the focal point [for us and opponents] this year.

"But he's driven. He wants to win a state championship. He's a Derek Jeter type guy. Having him on board helps the younger players know how to behave. He's the hardest worker and how can they not follow along. Looking back there are once in a blue moon kind of players. Here's a guy that really got it."

McQuinn said returning to the junior ranks never really entered into his thinking.

"I didn't want my high school career to end like that and I love wearing the 'C' for the team," said McQuinn, praising assistant captains Alex McNulty and Joe Malone. "I embrace it. Freshman year I was not as attached. It's a lot more fun having fans at games other than your parents."

So far, the Wildcats have been more than a pleasant surprise. They are ranked first in the state, stand 15-4-3 overall and are in first place at 4-0-2 in the Red North West Division of the Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League entering Saturday's game against Lake Catholic.

"This team has amazed me the way guys have stepped up," said McQuinn, with 21 goals and 13 assists. "We've got a lot of leaders on this team. If they look up to me, that's great. I've got to help the leaders of future teams, which is more important."

That's someone who really gets it.

To reach this Plain Dealer Reporter:

jmaxse@plaind.com, 216-999-5168

On Twitter: @JoeMaxse

The center from Brazil is facing his third surgery in three seasons, this time for a "split" in the quadriceps muscle.

View full size Anderson Varejao speaks to reporters on Wednesday at The Q. The center will miss at least six weeks due to surgery to repair a quadriceps muscle. Mark Duncan, Associated Press  

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Anderson Varejao has only one fear on the basketball court, one thing that worries the Brazilian center on a consistent basis, the one thing that he learned Wednesday will keep him out 6-8 weeks this season, his third major surgery in three seasons.

"This is the only thing in life that I'm scared of -- getting hurt," Varejao said, addressing the media for only the second time since suffering the injury Dec. 18. "I'm not scared about playing against tougher guys. It's just tough. Three years. It's unbelievable."

Last season, it was a broken wrist that limited Varejao to 25 games. One year before that, a torn ankle tendon held him to 31 games.

And now, a quad tear that Varejao originally had hoped would heal on its own, will require surgery Thursday at the Cleveland Clinic. It's the kind of string of bad luck that has forced Varejao to wonder why, at times.

"It's like 'Why, again? Why me?' " Varejao admitted. "But it is what it is. It's something I don't have control of. All I can do is keep working, keep playing. Right now, just focus on my rehab and surgery to get better as soon as possible."

Varejao said he hopes to return in time for the end of the season, with his earliest projected return coming Feb. 21.

According to the Cavaliers, a "split" in his quadriceps muscle was detected during his recovery from what they publicly continued to report as only a bruised knee. This "split" worsened through Varejao's rehabilitation, and a recent second opinion from Dr. J. Richard Steadman of The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colo., confirmed that surgery was necessary.

"It's just something that we don't know how long it's going to take to heal," Varejao said. "It could be something that I'm trying, trying, working hard, doing rehab, and in the next three weeks it's still the same, I'm still having the pain that's not letting me play, and then we say, 'OK, now we have surgery.' "

Cavaliers coach Byron Scott says he isn't concerned about his center's inclination toward injury.

"The thing with Andy, especially the last two years, is it's been injuries that are just freak injuries," Scott said. "Injuries that doctors say, 'I haven't seen this before.' It's just some things that have been so freaky that you say it's got to turn the other way next year. That's what I was thinking this year, the past two years he's gotten hurt, and this year, I was like, Andy this is your year. ... Do I worry about him being injury prone? Not really. I just think he's had some bad luck in the last couple of years."

Despite the string of bad luck, despite being forced into his third surgery in three years, Varejao said he refuses to give up his reckless-abandon style of play. He might begin to wear knee pads or other protective gear, he said. But he still will play with energy and passion.

"That's how I play," he said. "That's how I help this team. I believe that all my injuries were just accidents. One time, I get hit in my hand and it was just the right position for him to hit me and me to break my wrist.

"This was just a bad hit. He got my knee in the right position, and that's why I'm hurt the way I am now. It's just accidents. I have to keep playing the same way I've been playing and whatever happens, happens. I just hope I don't get hurt anymore."

Zips break open defensive battle in the second half.

View full size Akron's Nick Harney slams home two of his game-high 15 points against Western Michigan on Wednesday. Lonnie Timmons III, The Plain Dealer  

 AKRON, Ohio -- The Akron Zips were held well under their scoring average for the night, but still dispatched Western Michigan with ease, 65-43,
Wednesday night in the opening game of Mid-American Conference play. A tight game at the half became a blowout inside the first six minutes of the second half.

 Before the Zips (10-4, 1-0) were done, thanks to Brian Walsh scoring 10 of his 12 points in a 21-8 Akron run, the Broncos (8-6) were already reeling back to Kalamazoo, Mich. Freshman Pat Forsythe came off the bench for Akron to score 12 points with eight rebounds while Nick Harney led all scorers with 15.

 The Zips, averaging 78.0 points per game, entered the game on a five-game win streak and taking no prisoners, winning three of those games by 28 points or more and a fourth by 15.

 But this proved to be a defensive struggle. Akron took a 25-19 halftime lead as the Zips failed to get a two-possession lead until 5:57 left in the half when a short jumper in the lane from Deji Ibitayo gave Akron an 18-14 advantage. The defenses for both teams were stellar the first 20 minutes as Akron's pressure, full-court attack, forced nine turnovers and 28.0 percent shooting from the Broncos.

 Akron, however, had its troubles with the Broncos 2-3 zone, as well as baseline double teams inside, while shooting 29.4 percent for the half, and that included 1 of 8 on 3-pointers. That changed when Walsh opened the second half with a clean 3-pointer to get Akron rolling for good.

In the first game of 6-8 weeks without Anderson Varejao, the Cavaliers won to snap a two-game losing streak.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The "heart and soul" of the Cavaliers has been ripped from the roster, again. For a third straight season, Cleveland will have to learn how to manage without Anderson Varejao's rebounds, without his relentless energy, without his boundless effort and passion for every play on the court.

On Wednesday, they managed a 99-83 thumping of the Atlanta Hawks, thanks to 33 points from Kyrie Irving, and double doubles from Tristan Thompson and Tyler Zeller, the big men who will try to replace Varejao.

From this point forward in the next six-to-eight weeks, the Cavaliers will try to piece something together. Anything that will work.

"We all have to step up for Andy," Irving said. "We're all aware of that. Obviously he's going to be truly missed. This is an opportunity for different guys on the team."

Against the Hawks, Irving's 18 points in the third quarter were the difference, but Thompson continued his strong play of late with 11 points and 14 rebounds while Zeller added 11 points and a career-high 12 rebounds.

"I don't know if we necessarily need that type of performance from both those guys every single night, but somewhere near there would be nice," Scott said.

That's about what it's going to take to replace Varejao, who had been averaging a career-best 14.1 points and 14.4 rebounds before suffering the quad injury Dec. 18. What originally had been diagnosed as a bruised right knee took a dramatically ominous tone Tuesday when Cavaliers coach Byron Scott suddenly said he hoped Varejao would return "this year."

On Wednesday morning, the Cavaliers announced that Varejao's injury will require surgery to repair what they revealed is a "split" quad muscle.

"He's the heart and soul of our basketball team," Scott said. "This is a big-time blow to us."

The Cavaliers will not try to replace Varejao with a single player -- though they're likely to add a big man in the coming days. The Cavaliers currently have an open roster spot after waiving Samardo Samuels on Sunday, and it seems natural they will seek to sign a big man soon to add depth to their front court. Scott said Wednesday he had yet to speak to General Manager Chris Grant about possibilities.

"We're going to need four, five, six guys every night to play well," Scott said. "I think our guys understand that. That's putting a little pressure on them, but I think they can handle it."

What the Cavaliers are unlikely to replace is Varejao's energetic play. With a motor that never stops running, Varejao is relentless every time he's on the floor.

"His energy is what makes him special," Thompson said. "I don't think you can point to one guy and say he can do exactly what Andy can do. No one do that in the NBA."

The sudden change in Varejao's prognosis came over the past two days, despite three weeks passing since the initial "bruised knee" injury.

On Dec. 28, The Plain Dealer wrote that Scott denied Varejao had suffered a tear, as a Brazilian newspaper had first reported.

When questioned, again, about Varejao's lengthy recovery time on Jan. 3, Scott again referenced the bruised knee diagnosis, and said the bruise was in a "really bad spot."

However, according to the Cavaliers' news release Wednesday, a "split" in his quadriceps muscle was detected during his recovery from what they had publicly continued to report as a bruised knee. This "split" worsened through Varejao's rehabilitation, and a second opinion from Dr. J. Richard Steadman of The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colo., concluded on Monday confirmed that surgery was necessary.

By the Cavaliers' definition, a "split" occurs when a muscle is torn on the interior, vertically. The Cavaliers were quick to dismiss notions that Varejao's injury is a "tear," which they define as a muscle damaged horizontally, from the edge.

Scott, in his defense, said he tries not to get bogged down in minutia of diagnoses.

"I don't get into the medical stuff because I'm not a doctor," he said. "When they tell me he's ready to play -- bring him out here, let's practice and let's get going. That's how I deal with my job. I coach."

Varejao said he hopes to return in time for the end of the season, with his earliest projected return coming Feb. 21. He said he "probably" will remain in Cleveland throughout his rehabilitation process.

Varejao has missed more than 100 games in the past three seasons after undergoing surgery for various injuries. Last season, he missed 41 games, thanks mostly to a broken wrist. Two seasons ago, he missed 51 games, primarily because of a torn ankle tendon.

This season, he has missed 11 games, already, with the quad injury. It comes during his best season in the NBA, when he's leading the league with 14.4 rebounds per game.

The Cavaliers are 4-7 without Varejao this season. In all, Cleveland has had its full complement of players for just seven games this season.

Scott, however, views the absence of his team's "heart and soul" as an opportunity for someone else.

"When you have a big blow like this, you have some guys who are going to get a golden opportunity," Scott said. "That's how they have to look at it. They're going to get a golden opportunity to play big-time minutes because of the absence of Andy Varejao."

Speaking during the Cavaliers' win over the Hawks, Gilbert also said that while this year's record is dismal, there are "happier days ahead'' for Cleveland fans.

View full size Cleveland Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao is headed for his third surgery in three seasons. Scott Shaw, The Plain Dealer  

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert didn't mince words when asked his reaction to Wednesday's news that center Anderson Varejao will have surgery on his right knee and miss the next six to eight weeks.

"It's a killer for us," Gilbert said during an interview Wednesday with Fox Sports Ohio's Fred McLeod and Austin Carr in the second quarter of the Cavaliers' win over the Atlanta Hawks at The Q. "It is really, really disappointing -- for him, especially, first as a player and as a person.

"He's such a great guy. Every time I see him, everywhere I see him, he just can't wait to get back in, wants to get back in, wants to play. He lives life the way he plays. He has that kind of personality. ... I don't know how you couldn't love this guy for everything he is and everything he stands for. It's a shame."

Gilbert spent the entire second quarter of Tuesday's broadcast on the air with McLeod and Carr. His trademark sense of humor was intact, and he did not sound like a man about to fire a coach or general manager, as fans have called for recently.

That being said, he called the Cavs record "dismal."

"Frankly, it's embarrassing," he said. "I have no problem saying that. ... Next year I'm hoping we have a significant turnaround, and then we take it from there."

Gilbert said the Cavs will continue to stick to their plan to rebuild the franchise, although he acknowledged that fans patience is wearing thin.

"Things will improve," he said to Cleveland fans, whom he calls the best in the world. "There are happier days ahead, I can guarantee that. ... We will get through it and we will be better because of it.

"We are going to tough it out and continue down the path until we deliver championships in Cleveland, Ohio."

Gomez started last season in the Tribe's starting rotation but also spent time at Class AAA Columbus.

View full size Jeanmar Gomez, who began last season in the Cleveland Indians' starting rotation, was traded to Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Mark Duncan, Associated Press  

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians traded right-hander Jeanmar Gomez on Wednesday to Pittsburgh for outfielder Quincy Latimore. Gomez was designated for assignment on Jan. 2 to make room for right-hander Brett Myers on the 40-man roster.

General Manager Chris Antonetti said it still wasn't clear if Latimore, 23, will be invited to big-league camp. The right-handed hitter batted .252 (104-for-413) with 24 doubles, three triples, 15 homers and 71 RBI last season at Class AA Altoona. Latimore was Pittsburgh's fourth round pick in 2007 and gives the Indians depth at one of their weakest positions.

Gomez opened last season in the Indians' starting rotation. He went 5-8 with a 5.96 ERA in 20 games, including 17 starts. He was 6-5 with a 4.41 ERA in 11 starts at Class AAA Columbus.

"We've had to make a series of difficult rosters decisions over the last five or six weeks," said Antonetti. "When you acquire a lot of players externally that have to go on to the 40-man roster, it forces you to make some difficult decisions.

"I still think Jeanmar will have an opportunity to be a very effective major league pitcher."

The Yellow Jackets have won seven straight games and the 106 points is the most BW has scored in more than six years.

By Dan Gilles

BEREA, Ohio -- A game against an archrival tends to bring out the best in certain players and teams.

That was evident Wednesday night at Baldwin Wallace's Urpsrung Gymnasium as the Yellow Jackets roughed up their cross-town rivals from John Carroll, 106-75.

Baldwin Wallace (10-4, 5-2 Ohio Athletic Conference) has won seven straight games overall and two straight against the Blue Streaks (6-7, 3-4). BW leads the series, 58-52.

BW's 106 points are the most it has scored since Nov. 17, 2006, when the Yellow Jackets defeated Curry (Mass.), 110-70. Last year's season-high of 97 was surpassed on a 3-pointer by Brandon Schmidt (Wellington) with 4:38 remaining, and the Yellow Jackets went over the century mark on a putback by Aaron Selmek with 3:55 remaining.

"That's a good win for us," BW head coach Duane Sheldon said. "Anytime you beat John Carroll, it's a good win. I think our guys did a very good job of valuing every possession one possession at a time. That's something we've been on them about time and time again, and I think we probably do that as well as anyone in the league."

Five players -- three starters and two reserves -- reached double figures in scoring for BW, led by sophomore guard Jaron Crowe with a career-high 19. The Mentor grad was 7-of-10 shooting, 5-of-7 from 3-point range, and scored 14 points in the second half to help the Jackets open an insurmountable lead.

"I give [the credit] all to my teammates," Crowe said. "They kept finding me when I was open. I hit my first couple and I felt really good and they just kept giving me the ball when I was open. We play as a team; we don't care who scores as long as we win, and a lot of people stepped up tonight."

Senior forward Chris Ameen (Brecksville-Broadview Heights) came off the bench to score 15 points in 13 minutes, hitting all six of his field goals and both of his 3-point attempts.

"It's always good to get a nice 'W,' especially with the rivalry that we have," Ameen said. "This is the second win we've had against them in my four years being here, so it's nice to even out the record as best we can. I'm speechless about how this feels. I'm actually still in shock that we not only beat them, but beat them as one-sided as we did at our place."

Kyle Payne (Brunswick) scored 13 points, reserve Grant Fairhurst had 14 and Tyler Ferrell (Brunswick) scored 10 for the Yellow Jackets.

A 7-of-16 performance from beyond the 3-point arc helped BW take a 49-37 lead into halftime. BW opened the second half with a 21-7 run to push the lead to 25 as Crowe scored 11 points during the run.

While John Carroll shot 40 percent (8-of-20) in the second half, BW shot a ridiculous 61 percent (19-of-31) and outscored the Blue Streaks, 57-38, over the final 20 minutes.

"It was like a bunch of grade-school kids against paid professional athletes," Blue Streaks coach Mike Moran said. "That's how I felt. They were just better at everything. That's my only comment."

Senior Kyle Hubbard (St. Edward) scored 18 points to lead the Streaks.

Dan Gilles is a freelance writer in Elyria

BEACHWOOD, Ohio -- The drive from Beachwood to Cuyahoga Heights isn't very far, but don't be surprised if Jenna Stegmaier slept the whole way Wednesday night. The sophomore did it all for the Redskins in a Chagrin Valley Conference Metro Division showdown with host Beachwood, scoring 30 points to lead Cuyahoga Heights to a 50-43 victory over the Bison,...

BEACHWOOD, Ohio -- The drive from Beachwood to Cuyahoga Heights isn't very far, but don't be surprised if Jenna Stegmaier slept the whole way Wednesday night.

The sophomore did it all for the Redskins in a Chagrin Valley Conference Metro Division showdown with host Beachwood, scoring 30 points to lead Cuyahoga Heights to a 50-43 victory over the Bison, who were undefeated and ranked sixth in the first Associated Press state poll, released Tuesday.

"Stegmaier beat us," Beachwood coach Mike Coreno said. "The bottom line is that their marquee player beat us."

Not only did Stegmaier lead all players with 30 points, but she also guarded Beachwood's leading scorer, Mikah Aldridge, and brought the ball up the court on offense -- all while never leaving the game.

"I'm a little tired," Stegmaier said with a smile afterward. "It's tiring on defense trying to keep one of the best scorers in the conference in front of you and then turning around and bringing the ball up the court and creating offense."

The game started slowly for Stegmaier and the Redskins (10-2, 5-0 CVC). Several close shots failed to go down in the first quarter while Beachwood jumped to a 12-3 lead. But the visitors -- led by their star -- never gave up, and they stuck with the program.

"She's really mentally tough," Cuyahoga Heights coach Al Martin said of Stegmaier. "There are times when she doesn't complete some plays that she thinks she should and she gets down on herself, but she just keeps going."

The same could be said for the entire team, which found itself down, 19-8, in the middle of the second quarter. But for the next four minutes, the Redskins held Beachwood scoreless while scoring the final 13 points of the period to take a halftime lead of 21-19. The lead was 38-29 after three periods, and early in the fourth, it was 41-29.

"We're not a good starting team," Stegmaier said. "We always play much better in the second quarter. The first quarter is just not us."

The game was a matchup of styles, pitting Martin's precise patterns and discipline that resulted in 18 layups and 14 made free throws against the athleticism and creativity of Coreno and Beachwood. The difference? Easy, according to Coreno.

"We just stopped playing defense -- stood straight up and stopped defending," he said. "We took the two middle quarters off. They just buried us in the two middle quarters."

No other Cuyahoga Heights player reached double figures, as Lauren Goetz added nine points and Elizabeth Spence had seven. Aldridge led the Bison with 22 points, followed by Terrina Robinson with 14 and Aneisha Hardin with seven as Beachwood had only three players score.

Joe Magill is a freelance writer in Auburn Township.

The Flashes tried to rally in the second half, but a 15-6 spurt by Toledo to close out the game gave KSU a loss.

Matt Florjancic

KENT, Ohio -- A 15-6 scoring run over the final 4:16 thwarted any chance of a comeback for Kent State in its 70-58 loss to Toledo in the Mid-American Conference men's basketball opener at the M.A.C. Center on Wednesday night.

Down by three points at halftime, the Golden Flashes (9-6, 0-1 MAC) made one of their first seven shots in the first six minutes of the second half.

Before Wednesday's game, Kent State had defeated Toledo (5-7, 1-0) in five straight meetings. The Rockets, the last MAC West team to defeat Kent State, got a 59-56 win over the Golden Flashes in Toledo on Feb. 2, 2008. The loss to Toledo snapped a 31-game winning streak against MAC West opponents.

"That's certainly not the way we wanted to start the league," Kent State coach Rob Senderoff said. "I've got to give Toledo credit. They played well. We did not play well, at all, in any facet. We had a lot of guys struggle in a lot of different areas, and give them credit for playing well on the road and making the plays they needed to win the game."

Kent State cut the deficit to four when Darren Goodson made a layup after a pass from senior guard Randal Holt early in the second half. However, Toledo guard Dominique Buckley hit back-to-back 3-pointers from the top of the key, giving the Rockets a 41-29 lead with 16:25 to play.

"I'm just really proud of our guys and our effort," Toledo coach Tod Kowalcyzk said. "I thought our last two practices were the best of the year. I told our guys over the last 31 days, when we had only two games, there's no better way to start the season than going on the road against a perennially good team -- and a team I've got so much respect for -- and getting a road win."

The Golden Flashes took an 8-2 lead, including a pull-up 3-pointer from Chris Evans on the left wing and a trey from Holt, who came into the game second in the MAC with 33 3-pointers.

However, Kent State made just six of its next 24 attempts and watched a six-point lead evaporate into the three-point deficit at halftime.

Junior guard Rian Pearson started the Rockets' first-half rally with a jumper from the elbow, and followed with a layup on the next possession. Pearson converted a jump shot to tie the score at 12 with 13:37 left in the first half. After making two free throws, Pearson converted a three-point play after getting the ball in transition and being fouled while dunking over Mark Henniger.

Sparked by Pearson's 13 points, Toledo closed out a 14-8 run over the final 11 minutes of the half. The Rockets held Kent State to three field goals over the final 7:46.

Kent had 11 first-half turnovers, which led to nine Toledo points.

"They didn't pressure that much at all; there were just a couple careless turnovers throughout the game," Evans said. "We were not making the simple play, were just trying to do extra, an extra move and over-penetrate. I think it was on us throughout the game."

Matt Florjancic is a freelance writer in Broadview Heights.

TOLEDO (5-7) -- Smith 2-4 4-4 9, Boothe 4-7 2-3 10, Buckley 6-11 0-0 15, Pearson 10-19 7-8 27, Brown 2-13 3-3 7, Lemons 0-2 0-0 0, Holliday 1-1 0-0 2, Wonnell 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-57 16-18 70.

KSU (9-6) -- Evans 5-14 8-10 20, Tabb 2-5 0-0 4, Goodson 1-2 0-0 2, Brewer 2-8 1-2 5, Holt 2-15 5-6 10, Pope 3-6 4-5 10, Thomas 0-0 0-0 0, Manley 0-2 0-0 0, Henniger 3-4 1-4 7, Brunswick 0-0 0-0 0, Morris Jr. 0-0 0-0 0, Frank 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-56 19-27 58.

Halftime Toledo 28-25. 3-Point Goals--Toledo 4-14 (Buckley 3-5, Smith 1-3, Lemons 0-2, Brown 0-2, Pearson 0-2), Kent St. 3-19 (Evans 2-5, Holt 1-8, Pope 0-1, Goodson 0-1, Brewer 0-2, Manley 0-2). Fouled Out--Henniger. Rebounds--Toledo 37 (Pearson 9), Kent St. 39 (Pope 8). Assists--Toledo 12 (Brown 10), Kent St. 8 (Evans 3). Total Fouls--Toledo 24, Kent St. 18. A--2,178.

Chudzinski served as Browns' offensive coordinator in previous coaching stop.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns' interviews of head coach candidates Wednesday included another of their former offensive coordinators, Rob Chudzinski, a source told The Plain Dealer, and Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, a source confirmed.

Jay Glazer of Fox Sports first reported Zimmer's interview.

Chudzinski, 44, is the Carolina Panthers' offensive coordinator and the third former Browns OC to interview for the head coach job. Marc Trestman, the head coach of the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes, interviewed in Cleveland on Tuesday and Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians is expected to interview in the next few days. Arians was released from a hospital Wednesday after being treated for an inner-ear infection and will begin his round of interviews Saturday.

Arians, 60, is also scheduled to meet with the Bears (Sunday), Chargers (Monday) and Eagles. He told the Indianapolis Star on Wednesday night that he was home and feeling fine. "I'm ready to get back at it," he said.

In other Browns coach search news:

•The Browns were likely one of several clubs that contacted former Steelers coach and Browns assistant Bill Cowher, who said Tuesday he wants to return to coaching someday, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. But Cowher has been telling teams he's happy where he's at right now -- living in New York and working as a CBS studio analyst.

•The Eagles interviewed Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly, according to ESPN, and will visit with him again. The Browns, who competed against the Eagles for college coaches Chip Kelly, Bill O'Brien and Doug Marrone, have no plans to interview Kelly.

•Browns offensive coordinator Brad Childress interviewed in Kansas City for a spot on Andy Reid's staff. He was Reid's offensive coordinator in Philadelphia.

If Chudzinski lands the Browns' job, it will mark his third stint with the club. A Toledo native and lifelong Browns fan, "Chud" joined coach Butch Davis as the Browns' tight end coach in 2004, and served as interim offensive coordinator the last five games of that season after Davis resigned. Chudzinski coached the Chargers' tight ends -- including All-Pro Antonio Gates -- in 2005 and 2006, before returning to Cleveland as offensive coordinator in 2007 under Romeo Crennel.

In his first year as Browns OC, Chudzinski helped the Browns to a 10-6 record and No. 8 ranking on offense. Four of his players went to the Pro Bowl: quarterback Derek Anderson, receiver Braylon Edwards, left tackle Joe Thomas and tight end Kellen Winslow. The next season, the Browns went 4-12 as the offense plummeted to 31st and Crennel was fired.

Chudzinski returned to San Diego and served as assistant head coach/tight ends coach in 2009-10. Last season, he was named the Panthers' offensive coordinator and guided rookie quarterback Cam Newton to tremendous success. Newton became the first player in NFL history to pass for 4,000 yards and rush for 500 yards in a season. The running game was equally effective as the Panthers became the first team in NFL history to have three players with 700 or more rushing yards in a season.

Last off-season, Chudzinski interviewed with the Jaguars, Rams and Buccaneers for their head coach vacancies.

Zimmer, 56, has long been respected as a coordinator, but has never been an NFL head coach. Last year, he interviewed for jobs with the Dolphins and Buccaneers, but received no offers and ultimately signed an extension with the Bengals.

Being overlooked has been a source of frustration for him.

"Honestly, I don't listen to that stuff anymore," Zimmer told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "Honest to God's truth. I've had for so many years have people say, 'This is your year.' Then at the end of the year for about three days I'm totally depressed because I see this guy get a job, that guy get a job, that guy get a job. So it's in my best interest not to think about it, talk about it and just try to do the best job I can because I'm like (everybody else), I get disappointed, too."

Zimmer, Bengals coordinator since 2008, said: "I always have a chip on my shoulder. When don't I?"

Zimmer, who has also been a coordinator for the Cowboys (2000-06) and Atlanta Falcons (2007), led the Bengals to a No. 6 ranking this year and the team had 51 sacks, third most in the league. He was the second defensive coach known to have interviewed with the Browns. The first was Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton.

A warming trend and today's forecast for rain will keep the local steelhead trout streams high and muddy. Ice fishing has been put on hold on local ponds and lakes as the warm weather has created unsafe ice conditions.

Joe Thomas (left) of Westlake and North Ridgeville's Jim McConville catch some jumbo bluegills from a small pond. The ice fishing that finally began around the area last week has been spoiled by a warming trend and the forecast of rain. D'Arcy Egan, the Plain Dealer  

 Warm weather is arriving around Northeast Ohio, putting the stream and lake fishing on hold for the weekend, and possible into next week. The rivers are high and muddy, with more rain in the forecast. Thin ice will keep fishermen from venturing out on area ponds and lakes for panfish and trout.

 RIVERS AND STREAMS

 All of the local streams are high and muddy as warming temperatures are melting snow and ice, kicking up the water levels. With rain expected today and Saturday, look for the steelhead trout fishing to be marginal the next few days.

 LAKE ERIE

 The Lake Erie shoreline ice is dangerously thin today, and conditions won't get any better until the next Arctic blast hits Northeastern Ohio.

 INLAND LAKES, RESERVOIRS

 Ice fishermen need at least four inches of ice before heading out on the frozen ponds and lakes for panfish and trout, and they won't have it this weekend as temperatures cause unsafe ice fishing conditions. The Cleveland Metroparks reports the ice fishing for trout, panfish and largemouth bass had been very good at Wallace, Shadow, Ledge, Judge and Ranger lakes. For the next few days, fishermen will be restricted to open-water areas along the shoreline or fishing from docks or platforms along the lakes.

 The melting snow and ice could produced some decent tailwater fishing at area reservoirs, including Charles Mill, Mosquito and Pymatuning.

 TROPHY FISH

 Justin Marconi caught and released a rare double-header from the Rocky River, landing a steelhead trout and a 24-inch brown trout . . . Brian Kich took advantage of last week's short ice fishing campaign at Wallace Lake in Berea, squeezing a 14-inch crappie through his 6-inch ice fishing hole, with his jigging spoon also catching rainbow trout, sunfish and a largemouth bass.

  DOG TRIAL RESULTS

 Dave Maiwurm Appreciation All-Breed Hunter's Trial
 Wayne Coon Hunter's Association, Wooster

Dogs of the Day - Pointing: Larry Kontonkanis, English pointer (EP), Mickey; Flushing: Terry Reckart, English cocker spaniel (ECS), Bob. 

 All-Age - Pointing: Bill Keplar, EP, Huck; Jim Szajna, EP, Jager; John Zutavern, English setter (ES), Abby. Flushing: Terry Reckart, ECS, Bob; Sam Stazzone, English springer spaniel (ESS), Bubbie; Terry Reckart, ECS, Hammer.

Open - Pointing: Dick Motz, ES, Sammie; Deb Hronek, EP, Marcy; Larry Kontonkanis, EP, Max; Deb Hronek, EP, Jules. Flushing: Dave Rydzinski, Labrador retriever (Lab), Amber; Bob Rinehart, ESS, Tober; John Rizzo, Lab, Martie; John Kristof, golden retriever, Molly.

Derby - Pointing: Bill Keplar, EP, Jazz; Bill Keplar, EP, Willie; Bert Scali, German shorthaired pointer (GSP), Remi; Jack Nutter, ES, Patch.  Flushing: Del Reckart, ECS, Tracer; John Denczak, ESS, Powder; Bob Rinehart, ESS, Gracie; Ashford Howley, Lab, Belle.

Puppy - Pointing: Jon Gresser, EP, Bear. Flushing: Sam Stazzone, ESS, Ringo.

Senior - Pointing: Larry Kontonkanis, EP, Mickey; Dick Motz, ES, Amber; Bob Reynolds, GSP, Ruby. Flushing: John Denczak, ESS, Pearl; Howard Shanklin, Lab, Jack; Allen Dudra, Lab, Violet; Ron Burkey, Lab, Swade.

Bernie Kosar, former Cleveland Browns quarterback, held a news conference to tell others about the "ground breaking" treatment he got for brain trauma from Florida-based Dr. Rick Sponaugle. Kosar has been suffering for years from at least a dozen documented concussions during his 13-year career. Watch video

Former star showing youngsters how to finish around the basket.

View full size Former Cavalier Zydrunas Ilgauskas has 13 years worth of experience working around the basket to pass on to Tristan Thompson and Tyler Zeller. John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer  

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Anyone associated with the Cavaliers will tell you that Zydrunas Ilgauskas, beloved alum and fan favorite, is more than just a guy who works with the current big men on occasion.

Ilgauskas' official title with the Cavaliers is special assistant to general manager. He travels to scout college players. He evaluates talent in the league. He helps General Manager Chris Grant plot and plan and construct the roster.

But he's also 7-3, has two All-Star appearances and 13 seasons of experience on his r sum .

When Ilgauskas gives Tristan Thompson and Tyler Zeller, the Cavaliers' two young big men, advice on how to execute and finish, you had better believe they listen.

So while Thompson and Zeller have credited both Ilgauskas and assistant coach Jamahl Mosley -- who has worked, at length, with Thompson in particular -- with improvements in recent weeks, ears perk up at the mention of Ilgauskas.

"You can't teach 7-3," Zeller said. "He's still got quick hands. And he's just got the height. He jumps about this high [fingers held 1 inch apart], but somehow, he still blocks shots."

In recent weeks, Thompson and Zeller have learned from Ilgauskas some valuable tips on how to finish around the basket. But even more beneficial might be that both young, big men have had the opportunity to try to score on Ilgauskas as they learn.

"It's a little different when you've got somebody 7-3, with his wingspan, guarding you," said Cavaliers coach Byron Scott. "You have to learn how to get it [the shot] up quicker. You have to learn how to be able to maneuver around a guy like that."

The bulk of the day-to-day drills still comes from Mosley, who coaches the big men and has worked closely with Thompson during his two seasons in the NBA. In 11 games since Anderson Varejao suffered his quadriceps injury, Thompson has blossomed in his more featured role, averaging 13.1 points and 12.5 rebounds. Even his free-throw shooting -- typically his Achilles' heel -- has been solid in that span, 70.8 percent.

"We knew that if we continued to work with his offensive game and if he continued to put the work in that, he would continue to get better," Scott said. "Right now, I think he has a comfort level down there and he's having success, so right now, he's just playing at a very high level. It's affected his whole game."

Zeller has been solid in starting 11 games in place of Varejao, averaging 10.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 34.5 minutes. In recent weeks, he has learned a lot from Ilgauskas -- a player he aspires to emulate.

Ilgauskas wasn't available to speak to the media Thursday.

"Obviously, he's done it and he's been very good at it," Zeller said. "He's definitely a great asset for us, and we enjoy working with him."

Not only learning from Ilgauskas, but learning against him has also been valuable, Thompson said.

"You don't get that luxury very often in the NBA. There aren't a lot of coaches who are 7-3," Thompson said. "And if they are, they're probably retired or playing golf somewhere.

"He can still play, if he wanted to."

The Cavaliers have an open roster spot, in case anyone is wondering.

Injury updates

Varejao's Thursday surgery to repair his quad was successful. He's still projected to miss six to eight weeks while rehabilitating.

Both Daniel Gibson (concussion) and C.J. Miles (back spasms) practiced Thursday and are probable for today's game in Denver. Luke Walton, who has missed the past two games for personal reasons, is expected to rejoin the team in Denver.

Oden returns?

ESPN.com reported that Ohio State product Greg Oden will attempt an NBA comeback during the 2013-14 season, and several teams have already expressed interest in signing him. Grant, the Cavs' general manager, declined to comment Thursday on Cleveland's potential interest in Oden. At one point, the Cavaliers were thought to have an eye on Oden.

Oden has had three microfracture knee surgeries in his young career. He hasn't played since December 2009 and has appeared in just 82 games with Portland, the team that drafted him.

The Browns have hired Rob Chudzinski as head coach.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Browns have hired former Browns offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski as their 14th fulltime head coach, a source told The Plain Dealer tonight.

He's also the sixth fulltime head coach since the Browns returned in 1999.

Chudzinski, 44, who was coordinator of the Carolina Panthers,  interviewed with the Browns Wednesday in Cleveland. He's expected to bring former San Diego Chargers coach Norv Turner as coordinator, a source said. The two are close.

A Toledo native and lifelong Browns fan, "Chud'' joined fellow former Miami Hurricanes coach Butch Davis as tight ends coach in 2004, and served as interim offensive coordinator in 2004 after Davis resigned. Chudzinski coached the Chargers tight ends -- including All-Pro Antonio Gates -- in 2005 and 2006, and then returned to Cleveland as offensive coordinator in 2007 under Romeo Crennel.

In his first year as Browns OC, Chud helped the Browns to a 10-6 record and No. 8 ranking on offense. Four of his offensive players went to the Pro Bowl: quarterback Derek Anderson, receiver Braylon Edwards, left tackle Joe Thomas and tight end Kellen Winslow. The following year, the Browns went 4-12, plummeted to 31st on offense and Crennel was fired.
 
Chudzinski returned to San Diego and served as assistant head coach/tight ends coach in 2009-10. Last season, he was named the Panthers' offensive coordinator and guided rookie quarterback Cam Newton to tremendous success. Newton became the first player in NFL history to pass for 4,000 yards and rush for 500 yards in a single season.  The running game was equally effective, as the Panthers became the first team in NFL history to have three players with 700 or more yards in the same season.

Last offseason, Chudzinski interviewed with the Jaguars, Rams and Buccaneers for their head coach vacancies.

Read more about Rob Chudzinski and his hiring by the Browns, the team he followed growing up in Toledo.

See background on Rob Chudzinski, the Cleveland Browns' new head coach.

Name: Rob Chudzinski. 

Position: Hired as head coach of the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night.

Age: 44.

Birthdate: May 12, 1968.

Birthplace: Toledo.

Family: He and his wife, Sheila, have two sons, Kaelan and Rian, and one daughter, Margaret.

Coaching experience: Résumé includes 19 years of experience, including nine seasons in the NFL. The breakdown: 1994-95 -- University of Miami, graduate assistant; 1996-2000 -- University of Miami, tight end coach; 2001–03 -- University of Miami, offensive coordinator; 2004 -- Browns, tight end coach; 2005-06 -- San Diego Chargers, tight end coach; 2007-08 -- Browns, offensive coordinator; 2009-10 – San Diego Chargers, tight end coach/assistant head coach; 2011-12 – Carolina Panthers, offensive coordinator.      

Past season: Chudzinski completed his second season as Panthers offensive coordinator. The Panthers ranked 12th in total offense (360.7 yards) and tied for 19th in scoring offense (22.3 points). In his first season, the Panthers finished top-10 in both categories. Quarterback Cam Newton was named NFL Rookie of the Year last season.

Success with Browns: In 2007, he orchestrated Cleveland’s best offense in terms of total yards (5,621), passing yards (3,726) and points scored (402) since the club’s return in 1999.

Playing experience: He was a three-year starter at tight end for the University of Miami from 1986-90. He was part of two national championship teams. He attended St. John's Jesuit High in Toledo.

Education: Chudzinski earned a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1990 and added a master's degree in business administration in 1996.

Contains information provided by the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers.

Video of Chudzinski being interviewed as Panthers offensive coordinator in 2011:

Jimmy Haslam and Joe Banner put their stamp on franchise by not hiring a retread.

View full size Rob Chudzinski, shown coaching with the Browns in 2007, brings a fresh face to the head coach's office in Berea. But the question is: Can he win? PD file  

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Jimmy Haslam and Joe Banner will have to understand if this football town doesn’t buy into the “fresh start” they mentioned when they fired Pat Shurmur and Tom Heckert.

Not when Rob Chudzinski will be starting his third tour in Berea, this time as head coach. And certainly not if the next announcement introduces Mike Lombardi as the GM/personnel man of Banner’s dreams.

Chudzinski is young, smart and schooled on the offensive side of the ball. The flirtation with Chip Kelly last weekend should have confirmed which direction Banner and Haslam preferred.

They interviewed college coaches, NFL assistants and fired NFL head coaches, one of whom -- Ken Whisenhunt -- took a team to the Super Bowl. But you always got the idea Banner and Haslam wanted to put their own stamp on their first major hire.

You don’t do that hiring a retread.

Banner hired Andy Reid in Philadelphia when Reid was a relatively uknown assistant coach. Haslam was a minority owner in Pittsburgh where the Rooney family passed up two of their own -- Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm -- to hire Mike Tomlin.

The other tipoff was age. Kelly is 49. Chudzinski is 44. Banner and Haslam are adamant the coaching carousel will stop with them.

They wanted a coach young enough (and hopefully good enough) to last a decade. The flip side is that Chudzinski, the offensive coordinator here in 2007 when the Browns went 10-6 and Derek Anderson came out of nowhere, is the least experienced of the final group of candidates.

Chudzinksi’s offense was prolific here in 2007. His work in San Diego and later in Carolina with Cam Newton obviously recommended him.

But in Cleveland where memories are always long and mostly bitter they’ll remember Derek Anderson throwing four interceptions against Cincinnati in the final game of the season in weather conditions that made passing difficult. They’ll remember those Browns falling short of the playoffs.

The guess is the candidate pool came down to Chudzinski, Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and former Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt.

I liked Zimmer as the next head coach. Obviously the Browns were looking for an offensive coach.

The NFL is a passing league, but the running game still plays an important role. Chudzinski’s offenses are sometimes pass-happy to a fault.

The search is over. The end-game brings us to a familiar name.

That doesn’t make Rob Chudzinski a bad hire by any stretch. There’s still the promise of a fresh start.

Around here it’s called winning. And after what city has been through, the next coach to make it happen gets a statue.

Cleveland Browns hiring rookie head coach Rob Chudzinski is stunning and unexpected, Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto writes.

BEREA, Ohio -- Rob Chudzinski, the new Browns head coach.

So this is Joe Banner's new Andy Reid.

Will Chudzinski be right for the Browns?

Who knows? He's never been a head coach before.

Of course, the same was said of Reid when he was picked by Banner in 1999 to coach the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Reid was a relatively unknown quarterback coach from Green Bay. Reid didn't call plays for the Packers. He wasn't on anyone's hot list of coaches.

But he turned out to be one the NFL's best head coaches for more than a decade.

Reid is now so respected that when he had a 4-12 season with the Eagles and was fired, he immediately was hired by Kansas City. Not only is Reid the Chiefs' head coach, he's in charge of the entire football operation.

Which brings us to Chudzinski, who actually comes to Cleveland with more coaching experience than Reid brought to Philadelphia in 1999.

Chudzinski was the Browns’ offensive coordinator in 2007 and 2008. He spent the past two seasons as the Carolina Panthers’ offensive coordinator.

To Chudzinski's credit, he turned Derek Anderson into a one-year phenom, when Anderson threw for 29 touchdowns as the Browns were 10-6 in 2007. Their high-powered offense earned Chudzinski a contract extension through 2011.

In true Browns' fashion, he was fired after the 2008 season when the Browns were 4-12. Four different quarterbacks played because of injuries. In the past two years, he did some good work with Cam Newton in Carolina.

I'm still stunned by the hire and never expected it.

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam kept stressing "leadership" when it comes to the new coach. He talked about competing for the elite candidates on the day coach Pat Shurmur and General Manager Tom Heckert were fired.

Banner added: "The top quality in a coach that we’re going to look for going forward is somebody with some really strong dynamic leadership."

To the average fan, that sounds like someone such as Nick Saban, who is not leaving Alabama. Or it's one of the big names who don't seem ready to return to coaching: Bill Cowher, Tony Dungy or Jon Gruden. 

Or even Oregon's Chip Kelly, the latest designated genius among college coaches.

Well, leadership is critical, but a big name isn't coming to Cleveland.

The Browns sorted through Ken Whisenhunt, Mike Zimmer, Marc Trestman, Ray Horton, Chudzinski and others.

They came up with 44-year-old Chudzinski, who has never been a head coach at the college or pro levels.

He is from Toledo, and grew up a Browns fan. He was the tight ends coach here in 2004, and even called plays for a few games when Butch Davis quit as head coach because of a "panic attack" and a 3-8 record. 

So Chudzinski has been here twice before, fired twice before. 

There is little reason to hold that against him. He was wiped out the first time with interim coach Terry Robiskie. Then swept out with former general manager Phil Savage and coach Romeo Crennel after the 2008 season.

With the Browns, it seems every coach is fired every few years.

But I do confess to feeling a bit deflated.

Then again, Steelers fans probably had the same experience when Mike Tomlin was hired in 2007. Or when Baltimore hired a special teams coach named John Harbaugh. No doubt, Philadelphia fans were underwhelmed when Reid was introduced.

Harbaugh and Tomlin had the advantage of joining franchises that already were winners and had strong, stable front offices.

Reid and Banner had to build that in Philadelphia.

Now, Chudzinski and Banner will have to do it here, where there is no general manager in place. 

It will be critical for the Browns to surround their rookie head coach with experienced coordinators. How about keeping Dick Jauron and the 4-3 defense? 

The Browns also must hire someone to run the draft and sort through the free agents. It seems Chudzinski would not have that experience, at least not right now.

So the Browns are taking a chance, trying to find a young coach who can build a winner here.

And the pressure will be on Haslam and Banner to make sure their new coach has the right people in place to give him a chance to succeed.

The Browns are expected to name Turner as their new offensive coordinator. Just over a week ago, Turner was fired as head coach of the San Diego Chargers.

BEREA, Ohio -- Norv Turner may be returning to the position many believe he’s best suited.

The Browns are expected to name Turner as their new offensive coordinator just over a week after he was fired as head coach of the San Diego Chargers.

Turner has managed just a 114-122-1 record in 15 seasons as a head coach for Washington, Oakland and San Diego. His teams made four playoff appearances in that span.

New Browns coach Rob Chudzinski is quite familiar with Turner having worked two stints under him with the Chargers.

The 60-year-old Turner made a name for himself as an offensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys from 1991-92. He was part of two Super-Bowl winning teams that featured future Pro Football Hall of Famers Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin.

He parlayed that success into his first head coaching job with the Redskins in 1994. After being fired by Washington in 2000, Turner returned to offensive coordinator duties with San Diego. He’s also served in the same capacity for Miami (2002-03) and San Francisco (2006).

A look back at the records of each Cleveland Browns coach.

Marty Schottenheimer, coach from 1984-88, is the last Browns coach to leave with a winning record. Nancy Stone, PD file  

Listed below are the records of each Browns coach, beginning with Paul Brown in 1946.

Some Browns coaching facts:

• Marty Schottenheimer (1984-88) is the last Browns coach to have a winning record.
• The first three coaches in club history - Paul Brown, Blanton Collier and Nick Skorich - had winning records. Schottenheimer is the only other coach to have a winning record.
• The only coaches the Browns have hired with previous NFL head coaching experience were Skorich and Eric Mangini.

	Name	Seasons	Record	Pct.
	Rob Chudzinski	2013
	Pat Shurmur	2011-12	9-23	28%
	Eric Mangini	2009-10	10-22	31%
	Romeo Crennel	2005-08	24-40	38%
	Terry Robiskie	2004*	1-4	20%
	Butch Davis	2001-04	24-35	41%
	Chris Palmer	1999-2000	5-27	16%
	Bill Belichick	1991-95	36-44	45%
	Jim Shofner	1990*	1-6	14%
	Bud Carson	1989-90	11-13-1	46%
	Marty Schottenheimer	1984-88	44-27	62%
	Sam Rutigliano	1978-84	47-50	49%
	Dick Modzelewski	1977*	0-1	0%
	Forrest Gregg	1975-77	18-23	44%
	Nick Skorich	1971-74	30-24-2	56%
	Blanton Collier	1963-70	76-34-2	69%
	Paul Brown	1950-62 (NFL)	111-44-5	72%
		1946-49 (AAFC)	47-4-3	92%

* Interim coach