The NFL finished the 2025 season with nine clubs firing their head coaches, including the Cleveland Browns. What is that, like just over 28% of head coaching positions? Seems like a lot. And that’s if
no more playoff teams get rid of their head guys like the Pittsburgh Steelers have done.
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Kevin Stefanski was with the Browns for six seasons. He won two NFL Coach of the Year awards, then lost 26 games in his final two seasons. The NFL is a “what have you done for me lately” entity. Stefanski went 45-56 during his six seasons with Cleveland, with two playoff years, and played in three postseason games, going 1-2.
Already, the New York Football Giants have found their new head coach in John Harbaugh, who all nine head coachless franchises wanted but either could not come up with the funds he demanded, or Harbaugh simply said “No, thank you” to their interview request.
Which circles back to Stefanski, age 43, the second most desirable candidate this year. On Saturday, the Atlanta Falcons hired him as their new head coach with a five-year deal. According to sources, he was the first candidate who was brought in for a second interview. The Falcons fired coach Raheem Morris on January 4 after Atlanta had finished 8-9-0 this year and also in 2024.
The Falcons had reached out and already interviewed Anthony Weaver, Mike McDaniel, Harbaugh, Klint Kubiak, Jeff Hafley, Jesse Minter, and Aden Durde, as well as Stefanski. The second meeting with Stefanski occurred at team owner Arthur Blank’s home with Matt Ryan, Josh Blank, and CEO Greg Beadles, and then he offered the job.
Atlanta also fired GM Terry Fontenot on the same day as Morris, a day before Black Monday. Recently, former Falcons great quarterback Matt Ryan was hired as the team’s President of Football. It became known that Ryan would lead all head coaching interviews. He stated that it did not matter if the new coach was an offensive or defensive-minded individual, just as long as he was a steady leader with outstanding character. Which, Stefanski is both.
In a statement from the Falcons, Ryan offered:
“We’re thrilled to land a lead-by-example leader in Kevin Stefanski, who brings a clear vision for his staff, our team, and a closely aligned focus on building this team on fundamentals, toughness, and active collaboration with every area of the football operation. Coach Stefanski is a team-first leader who puts a premium on accountability for everyone and a player-driven culture.”
The Falcons have a young quarterback, Michael Penix, who needs additional development.
Usually, when a head coach gets released, all of his assistant coaches are fired as well. Then, when the next new guy arrives, he will bring in coaches that he is familiar with and worked with. No official word yet on which coaches, if any, that were with the Browns Stefanski will hire as he fills out his staff. Many times, coaches will wait until the Senior Bowl, when just about everybody and anybody in the league convenes looking for work. There are reports that OC Tommy Rees will follow Stefanski:
Former Cleveland OL coach Bill Callahan has also been connected to Stefanski’s new staff.
The Falcons currently have Jeff Ulbrich as the DC if Stefanski decides to retain his services.
Stefanski was not Atlanta’s top candidate. That position was Harbaugh, as he was every team’s top target; however, the Falcons never got a shot at Harbaugh.
The Falcons paused their GM search to snare the man they believe will change the culture of the franchise. Ryan was put in charge of leading the head coach and GM search once he was hired.
Stefanski will now face his former quarterback, Baker Mayfield, twice a year as both Atlanta and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reside in the NFC South Division.
