Browns to Hire Cleveland Native Mike Priefer as New Special Teams Coordinator

The Browns are set to hire Minnesota Vikings longtime special teams coach Mike Priefer as their new special teams coordinator, joining the new staff of new head coach Freddie Kitchens.

Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network first reported the news that Priefer is leaving Minnesota for Cleveland, where the 52-year-old was born.

Priefer was the Vikings special teams coordinator for the past eight seasons, and his deal with the Vikings expired after this past season.

Amos Jones, who coached the Browns special teams last season, was dismissed after the team hired Kitchens. The Browns had plenty of issues on special teams this past season.

Priefer comes to the Browns after a rough 2018 for the Vikings’ special teams units, as they finished 2018 dead last in field goal percentage, making just 68.8 percent of its attempts.

They also ranked 20th in the league in kickoff coverage, but on a positive note they did wrap up 2018 fifth in punt coverage.

Priefer attended the United States Naval Academy, and then joined the United States Navy, and his dad Chuck is a retired NFL coach and special teams coordinator.