Browns Fire Coach Kevin Stefanski After Six Seasons

Kevin Stefanski was fired Monday after six seasons as the Browns coach, the team announced Monday morning. When Stefanski was good, he was a two-time coach of the year in the NFL, but when he was bad, it was borderline historic.

General Manager Andrew Berry will keep his job and spearhead the search for the next coach.

The end began the day in 2022 when Deshaun Watson was traded for and signed to the richest, fully guaranteed contract in NFL history. When Watson’s past legal issues and injuries piled up, Stefanski had no answers to get the offense going.

This season with one of the best defenses in the league, the offense still produced 100 fewer points than the team allowed. Neither rookie quarterback — Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel — seems to be a long-term answer.

Stefanski finished with a 45-56 record, including 5-12 this season. The Browns hold the sixth pick in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Statement from Dee and Jimmy Haslam:

“We have tremendous gratitude for Kevin’s leadership of the Cleveland Browns over the last six seasons. 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. Andrew Berry will continue to lead our football operations. The entirety of our focus is on building a team that brings our fans the success they long deserve, and we will continue to work relentlessly towards that goal and invest whatever resources necessary to build a winning football program. Andrew will immediately begin our thorough process to find an outstanding new head coach and leader of our football team. We have an exciting young core to build upon, and Andrew and his team are intent on adding talent to this core and building out a roster that can achieve sustainable success."

Statement from Andrew Berry:

"This was a difficult decision and today is a tough day for our organization because of the impact Kevin has had and the deep, meaningful relationships he has built across our building. We have great respect for Kevin, who has led our organization through both unique and challenging circumstances over his six seasons. Over that time, he has been more than a coach but also a partner, friend and stabilizing force for our team. He has always led authentically and cared deeply for Browns players, coaches and staff all while investing every ounce of energy into improving the team daily. Most recently, Kevin's steady hand led us through the most turbulent part of our strategic pivot and transitional period. Working with a young team and imperfect roster, he laid a foundation of professionalism while also creating an environment of learning for a new wave of Browns players. 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. 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."

Statement from Kevin Stefanski:

“After six seasons as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, I leave with an immense sense of gratitude. 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.”

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