Updated Nov. 2, 2009 @ 11:40 p.m. ET

The Browns have fired general manager George Kokinis, the team confirmed Monday evening, saying he was "no longer actively involved with the organization."

Although multiple media outlets reported that Kokinis, in his first season as Cleveland's GM, had been escorted out of the Browns' facility on Monday, the team refuted that.

The Browns' statement reads as follows:

"Cleveland Browns General Manager George Kokinis is no longer actively involved with the organization. In response to rumors and reports that Kokinis was escorted out of the building today, the Browns deny those reports. In the interest of protecting the parties involved we will withhold further comment."

The firing comes one day after Browns owner Randy Lerner indicated he wanted to hire an executive to lead the club's football operations. "The highest priority that I have is a strong, credible, serious leader within the building to guide decisions in a far more conspicuous, open transparent way," Lerner said, according to The Plain Dealer .

Before joining the Browns, Kokinis was the Ravens' director of player personnel.