Report: Browns hiring Freddie Kitchens as head coach

The Cleveland Browns will name offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens their new head coach Wednesday, sources told ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

Kitchens and Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski were reportedly the finalists for the job. Stefanski, whose contract with the Vikings expired Tuesday, will apparently return to Minnesota after failing to land the Browns' job.

The hiring of Kitchens continues a meteoric rise for the 44-year-old, who began this season as Cleveland's running backs coach and associate head coach. He moved into the offensive coordinator role after the Browns fired Todd Haley along with head coach Hue Jackson.

The Browns' offense blossomed with Kitchens calling plays, while rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield and rookie running back Nick Chubb looked like budding franchise cornerstones down the stretch.

Cleveland will not retain the services of Gregg Williams, who finished the season as interim head coach. He compiled a 5-3 record after replacing Jackson.

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