1978 Cleveland Browns season

The 1978 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 29th season with the National Football League (NFL). After nearly three years of struggling offensively – and not making the playoffs—while posting just one winning record under ultra-strict, disciplinarian head coach Forrest Gregg, the Browns in 1978 decided to take a softer approach to liven up their attack – and their team. They did so by hiring a virtually unknown assistant at the time, New Orleans Saints receivers coach Sam Rutigliano, to replace Gregg, who was fired with one game left in the 1977 season. Rutigliano was the fourth head coach hired by Art Modell in his 18 years as club owner to that point, and it marked the first time Modell had not promoted from within the organization to fill the spot.

OwnerArt Modell

Head coachSam Rutigliano

Home stadiumCleveland Municipal Stadium

Record8–8

Quick facts Cleveland Browns season, Owner ...

1978 Cleveland Browns season
Owner	Art Modell
Head coach	Sam Rutigliano
Home stadium	Cleveland Municipal Stadium
Results
Record	8–8
Division place	3rd AFC Central
Playoffs	Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers	FS Thom Darden
← 1977 Browns seasons 1979 →

Close

After a period of limited offensive production, the team appointed Rutigliano as head coach, under whom the offense improved during the second half of the season. In the final eight games, the team scored 30 or more points in four contests. Quarterback Brian Sipe’s performance also improved under Rutigliano’s system. In the 1978 season, Sipe recorded 21 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions with a passer rating of 80.7, marking his strongest statistical season to that point in his career with the Browns.

The Browns started well, winning their first three games over the San Francisco 49ers (24–7), Cincinnati Bengals (13–10 in overtime) and Atlanta Falcons (24–16). They then stood 4–2 after beating the Saints 24–16 three games later. They surrendered 34 or more points in three successive games at the very end of the year. The end result was an 8–8 finish in which the Browns were outscored by 22 points overall, 356 to 334, in the first year that the NFL expanded from a 14- to a 16-game regular season. The Browns top draft choice that year, future Hall of Fame TE Ozzie Newsome, fresh off of an NCAA National Championship with Paul "Bear" Bryant's Alabama Crimson Tide team, had a solid rookie season, snaring 38 passes for 589 yards and two touchdowns.