Todd Haley had his introductory press conference Wednesday with his new employer in Cleveland and said he's looking forward to being with the Browns.
Haley, who was not retained by Mike Tomlin in January after six seasons as the Steelers' offensive coordinator, was quickly hired by the Browns days later.
"I had six really good years in Pittsburgh," Haley told reporters Wednesday. "I was brought in to do a job. I feel like I did that job, or more. We did a lot of really good things. We developed arguably the best receiver in the league. We developed arguably the best (running) back in the league. One of the top quarterbacks in the league did a lot of good things consistently, scored a lot of points, so I'm really fond of my time there in a place that really meant a lot to me. That being said, I'm looking forward, not back."
Haley was brought to Pittsburgh in 2012 to replace Bruce Arians with the directive to protect Ben Roethlisberger better and teach the quarterback to get rid of the football more quickly to extend his career. To that respect, Haley did do his job as Roethlisberger's sacks fell to the fewest over a three-year period at any point in his career.
Haley also was instrumental in the development and usage of Antonio Brown, who set an NFL record this season by becoming the first receiver to catch 100 or more passes in five consecutive seasons. And he was part of the braintrust that used a second-round draft pick on Le'Veon Bell in 2013, developing him into one of the league's most valuable two-way running backs.
But there were also problems. Haley clashed at times with Roethlisberger as well as fellow staff members and that led to his replacement by Tomlin with quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtner.
"I don't have a lot to say about it," Haley said of his relationship with Roethlisberger. "I do know that how I was mentored and taught early, a coach's job is to develop players first and foremost. That's how I go about business. ... I have nothing but fond memories. After sitting down and talking, it was obvious it was time for me to move on to a new challenge."
With Haley, the Steelers ranked second in scoring only to the Patriots over the past four seasons. They also reached double digits in victories each season and went to the playoffs each year, advancing as far as the AFC Championship in the 2016 season.
Now, Haley will try to revamp an offense that finished dead last in the NFL in 2017, mostly with rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer at the helm. But the Browns have the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft and could look to start over at quarterback again.
"Having grown up in Pittsburgh, I hated the Browns," Haley admitted.
A native of Upper St. Clair, Haley had a long history with the Steelers. His father, Dick, grew up in nearby Midway, played for the Steelers and then worked in the front office. But Haley said he won't have an issue changing to the other side of what was once a fierce rivalry that has waned since Cleveland's return to the NFL as an expansion team in 1999.
The Browns have gone 1-31 the past two seasons under Hue Jackson.
"I always want to beat whoever we're playing," Haley said when asked if he'll have any special motivation playing the Steelers twice per season. "Blood is thicker than water. We had Steelers stuff stocked up for six years. People are amazed, but when you go somewhere else, you put it in a box and see who wants it."