AP Source: Former CLEVELAND (AP) — Hue Jackson’s timeout from coaching didn’t last long.
Fired last month after a brutal run with the Browns, Jackson will rejoin Cincinnati’s staff under Marvin Lewis, a person familiar with the hiring told The Associated Press on Monday night.
Jackson, who was dismissed by Cleveland on Oct. 29 with one year left on his contract after going 3-36-1 in two-plus seasons, will take an unspecified position with the Bengals, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the move.
It’s a homecoming of sorts for Jackson, who served as Cincinnati’s offensive coordinator under Lewis in 2014 and 2015 before he was hired by Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam. Jackson also worked with the Bengals as a defensive assistant and wide receivers coach and is extremely tight with Lewis and a favorite of Bengals owner Mike Brown.
And it won’t be long before the Browns see him again. Following a bye week, Cleveland visits Cincinnati on Nov. 25. The Browns (3-6-1) will host the Bengals (5-4) on Dec. 23.
This is the second time Lewis has re-hired Jackson, who returned to Cincinnati in 2012 after he was fired as Oakland’s coach.
Jackson’s hiring came a few hours after Lewis fired defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, a day after an embarrassing 51-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints. The Bengals are allowing a league-high 454.6 yards per game.
Jackson figured to land on his feet at some point following his dismissal in Cleveland, where he was brought back for a third season despite going 1-31 in his first two. However, the team continued to struggle and Jackson had issues with offensive coordinator Todd Haley, who was also let go.
Since his firing, Jackson has done several TV interviews in which he has maintained he should have never given up play-calling duties to Haley.