“ESPN sources: the Atlanta Falcons are finalizing a deal to hire Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach. The two-time NFL Coach of the Year flew to Atlanta on Saturday, and now will stay on to take over the Falcons’ head coaching job,” Schefter wrote on X.
Stefanski served as the Browns’ coach from 2020 until 2025. In the six seasons, he led Cleveland to the playoffs twice and won Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2023.
As the Browns head coach, Stefanski went 45-56, including going 1-2 in the playoffs. But after a disappointing 5-12 season, Cleveland opted to move on from Stefanski, and he quickly landed with the Falcons.
With Atlanta, Stefanski will lead a team that has a solid defense and is led by running back Bijan Robinson.
After Cleveland opted to move on from Stefanski, he issued a statement and was thankful for his time.
Stefanski said he enjoyed his time with the team and will continue to root for the Browns.
“After six seasons as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, I leave with an immense sense of gratitude,” Stefanski said in a statement. “When I arrived in January of 2020, this organization, this community and Browns fans embraced me and my family with open arms. I cannot express properly in words how good we have been treated.
“A sincere ‘Thank You’ to everyone who I have been so blessed to work for and with over these six seasons. I’d like to especially thank my coaching staff and the players who did everything that was ever asked of them. They fought through injury and adversity, while always putting the TEAM FIRST. I wish all of you nothing but success.”
Browns owners, Dee and Jimmy Haslam, also issued a statement on the firing of Stefanski. The two were also thankful for his tenure.
“We have tremendous gratitude for Kevin’s leadership of the Cleveland Browns over the last six seasons,” the Haslams said in a statement. “He is a good football coach and an even better person. We appreciate all his hard work and dedication to our organization.
“But our results over the last two seasons have not been satisfactory. And we believe a change at the head coaching position is necessary. We wish Kevin, Michelle, and the Stefanski family all the best in the future.”
Cleveland failed to make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons under Stefanski.
Although the Browns fired Stefanski right after the season ended, the team is still undergoing its head coaching search.
Cleveland has held interviews with Jaguars OC Grant Udinski, Chargers DC Jesse Minter, Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, former Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel, Ravens OC Todd Monken, Seahawks DC Aden Durde, and Bengals OC Dan Pitcher.
The Browns have also interviewed their own offensive and defensive coordinators in Tommy Rees and Jim Schwartz, respectively.
