Getty Images

Updates from Thursday, Jan. 23

The Cleveland Browns announced the hiring of Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine:

BREAKING NEWS: #Browns name Mike Pettine head coach. #WelcomePettine Press conference scheduled TODAY at 4:45PM EST #StayTuned — Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 23, 2014

May Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer initially reported that the Browns have reached a deal with Pettine:

#Browns have reached a deal with Pettine, source tells http://t.co/o11vJT6fp2 — Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) January 23, 2014

Will Burge of Bleacher Report previously noted that the Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is currently the leader in the clubhouse to be the Browns' new head coach:

Sources confirm #Browns have chosen Pettine as next HC. Say meeting today is not interview but contract neg. If deal is reached he is coach — Will Burge (@WillBurge) January 23, 2014

Burge also noted the team's recent contact with Josh McDaniels, noting that their recent conversations didn't amount to much.

"Just a friendly convo. (Haslam) really liked (McDaniels) & tried again. Nothing there." #Browns source just now — Will Burge (@WillBurge) January 23, 2014

Adam Schefter of ESPN later confirmed Burge's report regarding Pettine and the Browns job:

Browns expected to offer their HC job to Bills DC Mike Pettine, per multiple league sources, via @mortreport and me. Need to work out deal. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 23, 2014

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported that Pettine is working on assembling a staff: