BEREA, Ohio — Confidence trickling from every response, Mike Pettine handled the onslaught of questions at his introductory news conference like a seasoned pro. He was in total control.

Despite being an NFL head coach for only a few hours, Pettine had the routine down pat.

He was faking it.

“I do not feel comfortable at all,” he said, breaking the tension and smiling. “The sooner I can get off this stage and out of this suit and working on getting this team headed in the right direction, the better.”

After a winding, 25-day search and piercing scrutiny, the Browns got their man.

The Browns interviewed 10 candidates and subjected themselves to national ridicule before hiring the 47-year-old Pettine, who transformed Buffalo’s defense in his one season with the Bills.