Belichick Hired by Browns

The Cleveland Browns made Bill Belichick the NFL’s youngest coach Tuesday, hiring the Super Bowl-winning New York Giants’ defensive coordinator.

Belichick, 38, was given a five-year contract. He replaces Bud Carson, who was fired Nov. 5 after the Browns lost seven of their first nine games.

Former offensive coordinator Jim Shofner finished the season as interim coach, but he withdrew as a candidate when he was unable to halt the team’s slide.

The Browns finished 3-13, the worst in the franchise’s 41-year NFL history, after making the playoffs the five previous seasons.

Owner Art Modell chose Belichick over several candidates, among them Raider assistant Mike White and former Ram assistant Fritz Shurmur.