Hue Jackson sees a bit of himself in a former Browns legend.
With Cleveland set to honor its 1986 team Sunday against the Jets, Jackson described the profound impact former Browns coach Marty Schottenheimer — who will join the likes of Bernie Kosar, Clay Matthews, Kevin Mack and others at FirstEnergy Stadium — had on his own coaching career.
"One thing we all know about Marty, it is Marty's way," Jackson said Thursday, laughing.
"Marty does not back down from anybody. He has a belief system. He believes in what he believes. He has won a lot of games, and he knows how to do it. He has shown that everywhere he has been. I have great respect for that."
Jackson paused briefly and smiled.
"I'm kind of like that myself. I kind of believe in what I believe because that is the way you were raised," he said. "You have to do those things that you trust and have strong passion about in order to get your team where it needs to be."
Schottenheimer, who spent 21 seasons in the NFL as a head coach and five as Cleveland's top man (1984-88), led the Browns to four straight playoff appearances and back-to-back AFC Championship games.
More than a decade later, Schottenheimer gave Jackson his first NFL job in 2001 as the running backs coach of the Redskins.
"Marty is my guy. Marty brought me into this league," said Jackson, who was the USC offensive coordinator at the time alongside Schottenheimer's son, Brian. "I watched one of the most passionate football coaches I had ever been around. I know everybody has the stories about Marty crying, and that is him because he is so passionate about what he does and how he does it."
Schottenheimer was ultimately fired after the season, but the way he approached molding Washington's roster had an effect on Jackson.
"It was really interesting that first year because he really came there and set the tempo. We had (former Redskins DE) Bruce Smith, we had (former Redskins LB) LaVar Arrington and a lot of good players. We started off 0-5 and then we flipped it. We won eight of the next 11. We played 'Marty Ball,' and 'Marty Ball' was line up and run the ball and play great defense," Jackson said.
"He had a lasting impression in my opinion of that organization when he left, and he went to San Diego. Obviously, we watched what he did there. He had an outstanding career as a coach. He is somebody I really admire, and I appreciate him giving me it. I am very thankful for the opportunity that he gave me to come to Washington with him."
This weekend will offer the pair a brief reunion.
"He taught me a ton about the running game, being tough, just what it meant to be a part of a team because it was his way and that is how he did things," Jackson said.
"I think all the players respected him because he was a winner. He believed in doing things right. A lot of that has rubbed off on me."
