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It was less than a year ago -- January 10, 2013 -- that Rob Chudzinski was introduced by CEO Joe Banner and Owner Jimmy Haslam as the Browns new head coach.

(Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer)

PITTSBURGH -- When it comes to the firing of coach Rob Chudzinski, the new Browns ownership and front office has no one to blame but themselves.

It was the decision by owner Jimmy Haslam, CEO Joe Banner and the rest to hire Chudzinski a year ago. They were operating under the usual grace period that happens when a new regime takes over -- they fire a bunch of people and bring in their own guys.

Chudzinski was supposed to be their guy. Now, he's out. Their guy, gone. After one year.

The front office had reason to be upset with how this season ended with a 4-12 record. Even worse was losing 10 of the final 11 games. While Banner refused to discuss what type of record was the goal, he did talk about the team needing to show progress and improvement over the course of the season.

That didn't happen.

Why not wait a year?

But is that reason enough to fire Chudzinski after only 16 games?

Absolutely not. Not unless there is something extreme behind the scenes between the players and coaches that has not been made public.

I would have replaced defensive coordinator Ray Horton.

As I wrote Sunday, the defense has been the biggest failure of this team. They entered Sunday's 20-7 loss at Pittsburgh already having allowed more points than in 2012. In all the key categories, in which improvement was expected -- defense on third down, in the red zone, and in the third quarter -- they ranked near the bottom of the league.

But dumping Chudzinski -- and the entire coaching staff? Not again. That was my first reaction when I heard the rumors, and it hasn't changed.

Not again after watching the Browns fire Eric Mangini and Pat Shurmur each after two years. Not again, with a fourth new head coach in six years.

Front office on spot

I have no clue if Chudzinski can be a good head coach. Then again, I don't know if Banner/Lombardi will be an effective front office. It was their decision to hire/fire Chudzinski, to trade for the now missing Davone Bess, to execute a very mediocre draft and several so-so free agent signings.

And some would say I'm being very kind with that characterization.

I do know that Chud looked pretty good when he had a respectable quarterback in Brian Hoyer. I know that with the trading of the third- and fourth-round draft choices in the 2013 draft, the front office was already pointing toward 2014.

I know that approach continued with the trading of Trent Richardson to the Colts for a 2014 first rounder -- only two games into the season. And I know the Browns have the most salary cap room in the league.

Considering all that, it's obvious a rough season was coming. Maybe not this rocky, but there are times when a front office just has to ride out the storm. After all, many of the problems this season were due to decisions made by this front office and the previous regime.

I'd have loved to see a full season of Chudzinski and offensive coordinator Norv Turner with Hoyer and a promising rookie quarterback. Also with a viable running back and a general infusion of talent, both in the draft and free agency.

Instead, the Browns are starting over -- again.

Only this time, it's the front office that deserves even more criticism than the coach who was just fired.