The Cleveland Browns officially fired Kevin Stefanski as head coach on Monday after another disappointing season.
Stefanski was widely considered a candidate to be fired for a couple of weeks now, as the Browns were having a disappointing season. Following Stefanski’s being let go, he issued a statement and thanked the team for the opportunity to coach.
“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.”
Stefanski was hired by the Browns in 2020, which was the first time he was an NFL head coach. He led Cleveland to the playoffs in his first season, going 11-5, but went 8-9 the following year.
Overall, Stefanski led the Browns to the playoffs twice in six years and went 45-56.
Andrew Berry to Lead Browns HC Search
Although Stefanski was fired, Cleveland opted to keep general manager Andrew Berry.
Berry and Stefanski were both hired in 2020, and both were given extensions in 2024. The Browns’ general manager knows how critical this coaching search is for the team’s future.
“Now, our attention turns to the search for the person to lead and develop what will be a young offense with heavy investment over the next six months to match and build on the performance of a young defense that is already playing at an elite level,” Berry said in a statement.
Berry called the decision to fire Stefanski a difficult one, as the two had a great relationship.
“I am disappointed that we could not accomplish more together and the collective underperformance of our group is something I own. We will remain steadfast in our commitment to our fans in building the Browns into an organization that sustains success,” Berry added.
Who the Browns will go after in this head coaching search is to be seen.
Cleveland Owner Thankful for Stefanski
Along with Berry, Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam also issued a statement on the firing of Stefanski.
The Haslams thanked Stefanski for everything he did, but the team felt like a change was needed.
“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 last made the playoffs in the 2023 season.
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