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Former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has been hired by the Atlanta Falcons, the first major made by former quarterback turned team president of football Matt Ryan.
Stefanski was a two-time Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2023, leading the Browns to their only two playoff appearances since 2002 and only postseason win since 1994, but finished with double-digit losses for the third time in four seasons in 2025. The 43-year-old went 45-56 during six seasons with the Browns, which makes him the winningest-coach since the franchise returned to the NFL in 1999 and tied with the late Marty Schottenheimer for fourth all-time in franchise history.
"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," Ryan said via AtlantaFalcons.com. "Coach Stefanski is a team-first leader who puts a premium on accountability for everyone and a player-driven culture. His experience in Cleveland and Minnesota has given him a great understanding of the importance of working in sync with scouting, personnel and the rest of the football staff to maximize talent across the roster and in doing everything possible to put our players in the best position to succeed. Kevin's style of leadership, combined with the staff and infrastructure in place here in Atlanta, gives us confidence in our shared vision for the team and we are excited to have him as the leader of our football team."
Stefanski was fired by the Browns on January 5 hours after the team finished the 2025 season with a 5-12 record following a win against the AFC North Division rival Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, which saw defensive end Myles Garrett break the NFL single-season sack record.