Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio: 'We appreciate everything coach Callahan did for us'

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio says he appreciates Bill Callahan’s time in Cleveland but understands why the veteran line coach would leave.

Callahan, 64, left to join the Tennessee Titans and will work under his son Brian, who was recently named Titans head coach.

Brian Callahan thanked the Browns for allowing father to leave and praised his dad’s career in an interview with the Titans website: “I would say, as far as experience goes, there’s not really anybody that has more in all the different facets of an organization. He’s been a head coach in college and the NFL. He’s called plays in the NFL. He’s been arguably, in my opinion, the best offensive line coach in football for a long time. His experience and his wealth of knowledge. He’s probably forgotten more football than I know. And so, it’s a huge asset to us to have him. And again, not just because that’s my father, but because of his experience as a football coach. And again, there’s not many better out there. Nick (Holz) worked for him a long time ago. I would argue that they’re probably both very different people at this point. My dad in particular. But just the ability to have that knowledge, experience, wisdom, perspective, on all the things that go on from top-to-bottom in the football process, not just the coaching. And so, to have that available to us is huge, and trust me, he’ll have quite a bit of input and ability to help us along the process.”

Cleveland officially announced the hiring of Andy Dickerson Thursday to replace Callahan.

Dickerson comes from the Seahawks and had originally interviewed for the Browns offensive coordinator job that went to Ken Dorsey.