Cleveland Browns Head Coach Hue Jackson has announced that he has retained Special Teams Coordinator Chris Tabor. Tabor has been with the team since 2011.
"I'm excited to be able to retain Chris Tabor as our Special Teams Coordinator," Jackson said. "Chris is an outstanding coach. He is incredibly knowledgeable and possesses the passion necessary to motivate his unit. They play hard and tough while paying attention to all the details and nuances that make the huge impact needed to win on special teams. Obviously, I've seen the success he's had with the Browns special teams unit first hand in my time in this division. It's a blessing to have him as a member of this high-quality staff we are in the process of building."
"My family and I really love it here in Cleveland," Tabor said. "It's great to be able to stay in one place for such a long period of time, keep your system in place and continue to coach some the same players. This is a great place to coach and I'm excited about working with Hue."
Since Tabor's arrival in 2011, the Browns lead the NFL in punt return average (11.3), are tied for fifth in kickoff return average against (21.7) and are tied for sixth in punt return touchdowns (four). The Browns have won six AFC Special Teams Player of the Week awards from 2011-15.
Last season, Tabor guided a special teams unit that finished fourth in the NFL in punt return average (11.2), fifth in kickoff return yards (1,041) and fifth in total kick return yards (1,366). First-year kicker Travis Coons set an NFL record with 18 consecutive field goals to start his career. Punter Andy Lee set franchise best single-season marks in punt average (46.71) and net punt average (40.13). Punt returner Travis Benjamin finished third in the league in punt return average (11.6).
During his tenure with the Browns he helped returner Josh Cribbs and kicker Phil Dawson earn trips to the Pro Bowl, while setting numerous franchise records. In addition, Johnson Bademosi leads the NFL in special teams tackles from 2012-15.
Prior to joining the Browns, Tabor spent three seasons (2008-10) as assistant special teams coach with Chicago. During Tabor's tenure with the Bears, Chicago consistently ranked among the league leaders in numerous departments, while working with premier returners Devin Hester, Johnny Knox and Danieal Manning.
Prior to Chicago, Tabor spent two seasons at Western Michigan University (2006-07) as the running backs and special teams coach. He also spent four seasons at Utah State University, where he was the running backs and special teams coach in 2005 after being the Aggies' assistant head coach in charge of wide receivers from 2002-04.
Tabor coached at Central Methodist College (1995-96) in Fayette, Mo., before spending four seasons at the University of Missouri. He spent his first three years with the Tigers as an offensive graduate assistant (1997-99) before moving into the role of running backs and special teams coach in 2000. He was also the head coach at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo., in 2001.
From 1993-1994, Tabor built experience at the community college and high school levels, coaching at Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College (1994) and Benton High School (1993) in St. Joseph, Mo.
Tabor graduated from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where he played four seasons at quarterback. He earned a master's degree in education from Columbia (Mo.) College.
During his tenure with the Browns he helped returner Josh Cribbs and kicker Phil Dawson earn trips to the Pro Bowl, while setting numerous franchise records. In addition, Johnson Bademosi leads the NFL in special teams tackles from 2012-15.
Prior to joining the Browns, Tabor spent three seasons (2008-10) as assistant special teams coach with Chicago. During Tabor's tenure with the Bears, Chicago consistently ranked among the league leaders in numerous departments, while working with premier returners Devin Hester, Johnny Knox and Danieal Manning.
Prior to Chicago, Tabor spent two seasons at Western Michigan University (2006-07) as the running backs and special teams coach. He also spent four seasons at Utah State University, where he was the running backs and special teams coach in 2005 after being the Aggies' assistant head coach in charge of wide receivers from 2002-04.
Tabor coached at Central Methodist College (1995-96) in Fayette, Mo., before spending four seasons at the University of Missouri. He spent his first three years with the Tigers as an offensive graduate assistant (1997-99) before moving into the role of running backs and special teams coach in 2000. He was also the head coach at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo., in 2001.
From 1993-1994, Tabor built experience at the community college and high school levels, coaching at Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College (1994) and Benton High School (1993) in St. Joseph, Mo.
Tabor graduated from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where he played four seasons at quarterback. He earned a master's degree in education from Columbia (Mo.) College.
