Cleveland Lerner told
George Kokinis is out as general manager of the Cleveland Browns after less than one year on the job. The manner in which he will make his official exit was in dispute Monday, according to team and league sources.
Kokinis refused to resign when pressed by owner Randy Lerner, who then persisted in seeking a dismissal "for cause," citing Kokinis for failing to meet the specific standards as dictated by his contract, the sources said. The team's security and legal departments were reviewing phone records to build its case against Kokinis, a team source said.
There also were discussions of whether the two sides could reach a financial settlement, sources said.
Multiple media reports initially reported Kokinis had been fired.
Television station WKYC and The Cleveland Plain Dealer first reported Monday night that Kokinis was ushered out of the Berea facility by security around lunchtime Monday.
EnlargeAP Photo/Mark Duncan
George Kokinis is no longer the general manager of the Cleveland Browns following a 1-7 start in his first season.
In a statement, the Browns said: "Cleveland Browns general manager George Kokinis is no longer actively involved with the organization. In response to rumors and reports that Kokinis was escorted out of the building today, the Browns deny those reports. In the interest of protecting the parties involved we will withhold further comment."
Dialogue between the two sides actually occurred for the past week before Sunday's 30-6 loss to the Bears sent the Browns reeling into the bye week with a 1-7 record. For the past month, Lerner has independently investigated professional and personal conduct by Kokinis, head coach Eric Mangini and director of football operations Erin O'Brien, who left the organization within the past few days, sources said. Mangini said Monday he had spoken with Lerner and was told his job was safe for now.
Lerner told the media after Sunday's defeat that changes were coming.
Ernie Accorsi, Cleveland former general manager of the New York Giants, Baltimore Colts and Browns, is being sought by Lerner as a consultant, a league source said. Accorsi could not be reached for comment. Accorsi has served in a consulting capacity on numerous occasions for teams and has an alliance with former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar, who was hired by Lerner as a consultant on Oct. 17.
Kokinis was brought in to leadCleveland the team after the Browns had hired Mangini, who coached last year with the New York Jets. It's the first major change for a Browns team that has struggled in all aspects of the game. Lerner said Sunday night he is "sick" about the state of his NFL team but he will not make a coaching change.
Lerner told the Plain Dealer and Akron Beacon-Journal on Sunday he would like to bring in a "strong, credible, serious leader" to help run his team.
Lerner did not expand on who that person might be or if that person currently worked for the Browns.
"The highest priority that I have is a strong, credible, serious leader within the building to guide decisions in a far more conspicuous, open transparent way," Lerner said Sunday, according to The Plain Dealer. "I can maybe defend decisions by saying I've sought advice and I've brought people in, and we've gone to see people -- and I think my highest priority is to have a stable figure that represents the voice that explains the decisions."
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