The Browns have another father-son team on their coaching staff.
New defensive coordinator Gregg Williams hired son Blake to coach linebackers and family friend Jerod Kruse to serve as an assistant defensive backs coach, a person familiar with the moves confirmed Monday. The Browns have yet to announce the hires.
Senior offensive assistant/wide receivers coach Al Saunders and offensive quality control/assistant wide receivers coach Bob Saunders form the other father-son tandem on the staff.
The Browns are the fifth NFL team to hire Blake with his dad on board and in charge of the defense.
He was an intern coach for Washington (2006-07), an assistant linebackers and strength and conditioning coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars (2008), an offensive assistant, then a linebackers coach for the New Orleans Saints (2009-11) and a linebackers coach turned de facto defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams (2012).
The younger Williams assumed the duties of defensive coordinator for the Rams when the NFL suspended his father for the entire 2012 season because of his role in the Saints bounty scandal. The Rams fired Blake Williams, 32, after just one season.
The former Princeton University defensive back and special teamer sought refuge in the college ranks, becoming a defensive coaching consultant at William Jewell College, then the defensive coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana University.
Kruse was the head coach at William Jewell and an associate head coach at Southeastern Louisiana when Blake Williams worked for both schools. Kruse was the defensive coordinator at Lee’s Summit West High School in Missouri last season.
Awards season
Browns left tackle Joe Thomas was selected to the Professional Football Writers of America’s All-NFL team for the fourth consecutive season and the seventh time in his career. With four selections in a row, the 10-time Pro Bowler owns the longest streak among active players.
Holding pattern
Senior Bowl officials have yet to receive an answer from Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson about whether he’ll accept their invitation. If Watson were to participate, he would be coached by the Browns’ staff as a member of the South team. Practices run from Jan. 24-26 with the game Jan. 28 in Mobile, Ala.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Browns blog at www.ohio.com/browns. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ and on Facebook www.facebook.com/abj.sports.