National Football League

Former Browns, Jets coach Mangini joining ESPN

Published Aug. 4, 2011 10:00 p.m. ET

foxsports

Former Browns and Jets coach Eric Mangini is joining ESPN as an NFL studio analyst.

Mangini, who coached in Cleveland for two years after three seasons in New York, will appear on several ESPN programs, as well as ESPN Radio shows. The network made the announcement Thursday and said Mangini, fired by the Browns after last season, will start Aug. 17.

He worked as a guest analyst for ESPN during the NFL playoffs last postseason. Seth Markman, ESPN's senior coordinating producer for NFL studio shows, said Mangini ''is one of the smartest football people I've ever been around.''

Never particularly candid or colorful, Mangini jokingly said he's perfect for TV.

''With my reputation for access and ease with the media,'' he said in a statement, ''it seems like a natural fit.''

Mangini also took playful shots at Herm Edwards, the coach who preceded him in New York, as well as Rex Ryan, who was hired shortly after Mangini was fired by the Jets.

''As for my new role, I have been preparing diligently,'' Mangini said, ''by picking out tribal tattoos for my lower leg and doing triple shots of espresso to match Herm Edwards' energy level.''

Ryan's gaudy, new leg tattoo was one of the big attractions when the Jets opened training camp earlier this week.

Mangini led the Jets to the playoffs in his first year after replacing Edwards in 2006. But he went 4-12 in 2007 and was fired after the team faded late the following year, finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs with Brett Favre as quarterback. He then was hired by the Browns and went 10-22 in Cleveland. Mangini also has served as an assistant for the Jets, Browns, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens.