The Cleveland Browns didn’t waste any time firing now former-head coach Freddie Kitchens once their season ended. However, their approach toward firing their next one was a bit more cerebral. Or maybe they were just waiting for their prospective next coach to be eliminated from the playoffs so they could make things official in one fell swoop. Regardless, that ‘next guy’ is Kevin Stefanski, who most recently was offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
With the #Browns filling their head coaching job by the coming hire of #Vikings OC Kevin Stefanski, they may look at Minnesota respected assistant GM George Paton as a possible GM. Andrew Berry and Ed Dodds already have requests.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2020
Stefanski, 37, will now take over a Cleveland Browns team that many consider one of the league’s biggest disappointment this season, given the abundance of talent on the roster and their final 6-10 record.
The new Browns coach played collegiately at the University of Pennsylvania. He was the Ivy League’s Freshman of the Year in 2000 and was twice named to the all-conference team. But Stefanski went undrafted during the 2005 NFL Draft.
Fallout from #Browns hire of Kevin Stefanski:
— #49ers DC Robert Saleh, who nearly got it, has emerged as a top candidate for years to come.
— #Patriots OC Josh McDaniels will stay in New England, a win for Bill Belichick.
— Minnesota needs a new OC, but Gary Kubiak is there.— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2020
After that, he returned to Penn., where he was named assistant director of football operations.
Following one season on the staff at his alma mater, Stefanski joined the Minnesota Vikings, the organization he’s been with ever since, or at least up until now.
With Minnesota, he coached the quarterbacks, running backs, and tight ends before becoming offensive coordinator in 2018.
