Cleveland Browns hire five assistant coaches

The Cleveland Browns made it known several weeks ago that Hue Jackson would be retained as head coach following a 1-15 season, but his staff is undergoing a significant shake-up.

On Thursday, the Browns announced the hiring of five assistant coaches: Jerod Kruse (assistant defensive backs), Clyde Simmons (defensive line), DeWayne Walker (defensive backs), Blake Williams (linebackers) and Bob Wylie (offensive line). Simmons replaces Robert Nunn, who has been relieved of his duties.

"Over the last two weeks I've spent a lot of time interviewing coaches and have had some difficult decisions to make," Jackson said in a statement. "As I've said before, that's part of my responsibility in my role as head coach of this football team as we are constantly striving for improvement and success. Coaching is always going to be about teaching and it was very important that we found the right coaches that will come in and be able to help our players reach their full potential. We always talk about creating the right environment for our players to succeed and I believe the group we've been able to assemble will help us accomplish just that."

Kruse served as the defensive coordinator for Lee's Summit West High School (Mo.) in 2016.

Simmons spent the last five seasons with the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams as assistant defensive line coach.

Walker served as defensive backs coach with Jacksonville the past four seasons.

Williams worked at the NFL league office in 2016 and was the defensive coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana University in 2015.

Wylie spent the past three seasons as the offensive line coach for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.