Mike Priefer got the Browns special teams units collectively headed in the right direction in a much-improved 2019 campaign.

It just didn't meet the standard he expects as a longtime special teams coordinator.

"We have some work to do, some unfinished business," Priefer said. "That's what the opportunity to come back is going to provide for us to do, to finish that business."

Priefer and assistant special teams coach Doug Colman are back for a second season in Cleveland, joining run game coordinator/running backs coach Stump Mitchell as the three retained coaches from the 2019 staff. Priefer, who grew up in Cleveland, wanted to return no matter who was hired as head coach. That the Browns went with Kevin Stefanski, whom he coached alongside from 2011-18 in Minnesota, made coming back even more rewarding for Priefer, who is entering his 15th consecutive season as an NFL special teams coordinator.

"I've seen him grow as a coach from being a quality control coach to being a running backs, tight ends, quarterbacks and then offensive coordinator. I've seen his growth," Priefer said. "I knew from the get-go he was going to be a very good coach as he kind of gained experience. Obviously he had that head coaching mentality about him. He's got that charisma about him, he's got leadership and he's going to do a great job for us here."

Cleveland's special teams made significant improvements in nearly every facet of the game under Priefer's watch in 2019.

The Browns were among the best in the league at covering kicks, ranking fifth in the NFL in average yards allowed per kickoff and sixth overall in kickoff return yards. On punts, the Browns went from 30th in the league to 17th. Cleveland was among the best in the league in tackles inside the 20-yard line and average starting field position after kickoffs.

The improvements stemmed from the strong directional kicking of rookie Austin Seibert, better tackling from core players such as KhaDarel Hodge, Tavierre Thomas and Tae Davis and a significant decrease in penalties. The Browns went from one of the most penalized special teams units in 2018 to middle of the pack in 2019.

"There's a lot of improvements in a lot of different areas if we continue to bring young men in here that love the game of football and like playing special teams," Priefer said. "There's unique people who play that. You have to have something wrong with you if you're going to go cover a kickoff or punt and people say you have to have something wrong with you if you're going to coach special teams, so it goes hand in hand. I'm excited about our future."