The Cleveland Browns introduced new defensive coordinator Ray Horton at a press conference Tuesday, and while he said he was happy to be in Cleveland, he didn't hide the fact that he was hoping for a head coaching job, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer:
Ray Horton ‘disappointed’ by lack of head coaching opportunities
Ray Horton is the Cleveland Browns’ new defensive coordinator, but he had higher ambitions.
Christian Petersen
“I had hoped (to be a head coach). I can’t control that. Am I disappointed? Yes. Am I excited to be here? Yes.”
Horton was previously the defensive coordinator with the Arizona Cardinals, one of seven teams that fired their head coach following the conclusion of the 2012 regular season. Since he already had a connection to the Cardinals, Horton's best chance at moving up was with Arizona, but the team hired former Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians instead.
None of the new head coaches hired were minorities, something Horton, who is African-American, was asked about at his press conference. He was more concerned with his own prospects:
“Not disappointed for minorities, I’m disappointed for Ray Horton,” he said.
Horton has a long tenure as an NFL defensive assistant, having coached in the league since 1994. He was defensive coordinator in Arizona for two seasons, and in 2012, the Cardinals ranked 12th in the league by allowing 337.8 yards per game.
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