The Cleveland Browns have named Ron Wolf as a Personnel Specialist, President and CEO Carmen Policy announced Thursday.
Wolf, who as Executive Vice President and General Manager helped the Green Bay Packers capture consecutive NFC Championships in 1996-97 along with a 35-21 Super Bowl XXXI triumph over the New England Patriots, has worked in professional football for the last 41 years.
"I am really excited to be able to work with the Cleveland Browns," Wolf said. "I have a lot of respect for Carmen Policy and Butch Davis, and I look forward to helping them in any way they wish. Although I shall not be at their facility on a regular basis, I am confident that I can assist them in the ways they ask.
"I have always admired the Cleveland Browns organization from afar and have considered the Browns to be a storied franchise in much the same way as the Green Bay Packers. I believe they have a bright future, and I am ready to get started in this new role."
Wolf, who was enshrined in the Packers Hall of Fame in 2000, oversaw drafts in Green Bay that helped build the Packers' foundation for success. Over 75 percent of his draft selections between 1992-1999 (48 of 64) were still playing in the NFL at the conclusion of the 1999 season.
Wolf was responsible for selecting future NFL starting quarterbacks Ty Detmer (9th round in 1992), Mark Brunell (5th round in 1993), Matt Hasselbeck (6th round in 1998) and Aaron Brooks (4th round in 1999) - none of which were selected higher than the fourth round.
"Ron Wolf's vast experiences and numerable accomplishments throughout his career have resulted in the formation of a sterling reputation that has few equals in the National Football League," President and CEO Carmen Policy said. "He was the architect of some outstanding Packer teams and was the one most responsible for returning that storied franchise to greatness.
"Butch Davis and Ron have had a professional relationship for quite some time, and Randy Lerner and I are thrilled this relationship now continues with the Cleveland Browns."
"I have known Ron for many years and have a healthy respect for his knowledge and football insight," Head Coach and Executive Vice President Butch Davis said. "I have invited Ron to visit us several times over the past three seasons, and every conversation with him is both enlightening and informative. He has experienced many things during his career, the common denominator being success.
"I learned first hand in Dallas the importance of credible opinions from experienced people through our relationship for many years with longtime coach Neill Armstrong. Our personal and professional relationship truly developed during my tenure at the University of Miami. We look forward to Ron's input and opinions."
Wolf was responsible for acquiring Brett Favre in a 1992 trade with Atlanta. Favre has earned a record three consecutive (1995-97) NFL Most Valuable Player awards along with earning Pro Bowl honors eight times.
Wolf also traded for running back Ahman Green from Seattle in 2000. Green has been the Packers leading rusher in each of the past four seasons (2000-03) and earned his third trip to the Pro Bowl this season after rushing for 1,883 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Wolf also brought Reggie White to the Packers in the first season of free agency in 1993, a move which resulted in White earning Pro Bowl honors six consecutive seasons and posting 68.5 sacks from 1993-1998.
Wolf spent 11 years with the Packers (1991-2001) in a full-time capacity. Over a six-year period in Green Bay from 1993-1998, Wolf helped guide the Packers to a 75-35 overall record and six consecutive playoff berths including:
- Green Bay's first Super Bowl championship in 29 years (35-21 win over New England in Super
Bowl XXXI).
- Back-to-back NFC Championships (1996 and 1997).
- Three consecutive NFC Central Division titles (1995, 1996, 1997).
- The first string of four double-digit winning regular seasons for a Green Bay team since 1929-32
(11-5 in 1995, 13-3 in both 1996 and 1997, 11-5 in 1998).
- The only 16-victory campaign (1996) in the Packers' 81-year history.
