Jeff Davidson
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Jeff Davidson (born 1967 in Akron, Ohio) is the offensive coordinator for the NFL's Cleveland Browns. Before taking over as offensive coordinator, he was an assistant coach and offensive line coach for the Browns. He was also the tight ends and assistant offensive line coach for the 1997-2004 New England Patriots teams. He was also an offensive assistant for the New Orleans Saints after retiring from playing from 1995-1996. Maurice Carthon resigned as Browns Offensive Coordinator on October 24th, 2006 after the Browns started the season 1-5, opening the door for Davidson
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[edit] High school
Davidson attended Westerville North High School in Westerville, Ohio and was a letterman in football.
[edit] College
Davidson attended Ohio State University and was a star in football. In football, he earned all-Big Ten honors as a senior.
[edit] NFL career
Davidson was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 1990 in the 5th round. He was with the Broncos for four seasons, starting in 1991. He signed with the New Orleans Saints in 1994. He suffered a season-ending shoulder injury that season that forced him to retire after just four seasons.
[edit] Coaching Career
After retiring, he stayed with the New Orleans Saints as a volunteer assistant in 1995. He was made an Offensive Assistant by the Saints in 1996.
In 1997, he was hired by the New England Patriots as Tight Ends' Coach. He coached Patriots' all-time leading receiver for a Tight End--Ben Coates. Coates is now the Tight Ends' Coach for the Browns.
Upon the end of the season, the Patriots promoted him to Assistant Offensive Line Coach, where he remained from 1998-2001.
He managed both Tight Ends and the Assisant Offensive Line job from 2002-2004. He coached the Patriots' Tight Ends to 58 catches in 2002 -- three times what the unit had in 2001. Christian Fauria led the club with 7 touchdown catches.
In 2003, his tight ends had 66 catched and 6 touchdowns, while the offensive line did not allow a sack in their first three postseason games. This led them to victory in Super Bowl XXVIII.
In 2004, tight end Daniel Graham tied for the Patriots' record with 7 touchdowns. Overall, the unit managed 11 scores. He also helped solidify a line that used only three combinations of starting lineups all season, aided in Corey Dillon in rushing for 1,635 yards, and allowed only 26 sacks all season.
He became Offensive Line Coach for the Cleveland Browns in 2005. He left New England with his friend and new Browns coach Romeo Crennel.
In 2006, Crennel promoted him to be his Assistant Head Coach. However, after the lackluster plays of Offensive Coordinator Maurice Carthon, Davidson was promoted to Offensive Coordinator on October 24, 2006.
In his first game as Offensive Coordinator on October 29, 2006 at Cleveland Browns Stadium against the New York Jets, Davidson's offense had 267 total yards, with 147 on the ground. His first game was victory over the Jets, 20-13. It was also the first win for the Browns at home this season.
Preceded by: Maurice Carthon |
Cleveland Browns Offensive Coordinators 2006-Present |
Succeeded by: [[Active]] |