Key Takeaways
- The Cleveland Browns have fired head coach Kevin Stefanski after a six-season stint with the team.
- The decision was made due to unsatisfactory results over the last two seasons, despite Stefanski’s overall record of 45-56 and notable successes in 2020 and 2023.
- General manager Andrew Berry will lead the search for Stefanski’s successor and is committed to building a winning football program.
- Stefanski may not be out of work for long, as he is expected to be a top candidate for other head coaching positions in the NFL.
Introduction to the Firing of Kevin Stefanski
The Cleveland Browns announced on January 5, 2026, that they would be parting ways with head coach Kevin Stefanski after six seasons with the team. This decision was made by Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam, who expressed their gratitude for Stefanski’s leadership and dedication to the organization. However, they also stated that the team’s results over the last two seasons had not been satisfactory, and a change at the head coaching position was necessary. Stefanski’s dismissal comes after the Browns posted a 5-12 record during the 2025 NFL season, which was not enough to earn him another season with the team.
Stefanski’s Record and Achievements
During his six seasons with the Browns, Stefanski posted a record of 45-56, which may seem unimpressive at first glance. However, he oversaw what was arguably the team’s most successful stretch of the 21st century. In 2020, his first season with the team, Stefanski led the Browns to an 11-5 record, which earned him the NFL’s Coach of the Year award. The Browns also earned their first playoff win since 1994, a 48-37 wild-card victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Stefanski repeated this success in 2023, leading the Browns to an 11-6 record despite the team starting five different quarterbacks. His ability to adapt and succeed in challenging circumstances earned him the NFL’s Coach of the Year award for the second time.
The Decision to Move On
Despite these notable achievements, the Browns decided to move on from Stefanski after he posted a combined record of 8-26 over his final two seasons with the team. The team’s performance in 2025 was particularly disappointing, with the Browns ranking ahead of only the Las Vegas Raiders in points per game and dead-last in offensive EPA per play. Stefanski had largely been mum amid speculation about his future, but he did express his desire to continue coaching the Browns ahead of the team’s Week 18 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. However, it was clear that the team’s owners had already made up their minds, and Stefanski’s time in Cleveland had come to an end.
The Search for a New Head Coach
The Browns have announced that general manager Andrew Berry will lead the search for Stefanski’s successor. Berry is committed to building a winning football program and has stated that the team will work relentlessly towards this goal, investing whatever resources necessary to build a successful team. The Browns have an exciting young core to build upon, and Berry and his team are intent on adding talent to this core and building out a roster that can achieve sustainable success. The search for a new head coach is likely to be a thorough and careful process, with the team considering a range of candidates and evaluating their fit with the organization.
Stefanski’s Future Prospects
Stefanski may not be out of work for long, as he is expected to be a top candidate for other head coaching positions in the NFL. According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Stefanski "would immediately become a top candidate elsewhere" if the Browns did not retain him. This is a testament to Stefanski’s reputation as a talented and adaptable coach, and he is likely to be in high demand in the coming weeks and months. As the Browns face a key decision about how to replace him, Stefanski will begin exploring his other options and considering his next move in the NFL.
