Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Browns Draw Unlikely Coaching Interest After Kevin Stefanski Firing

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rex Villas | Last updated Jan 9, 2026 7:20 PM ET

The Cleveland Browns' coaching search is underway following their decision to fire Kevin Stefanski.

The job that Stefanski has left is going to be a challenging one for whoever becomes his eventual successor, but at least one who's shown interest is honest enough to admit that he doesn not even have an idea of how to run a professional football team from the sidelines.

On Friday, multiple Golden Globe–nominated actor Henry Winkler responded to a social media post on X that jokingly linked him to the vacant Browns coaching gig.

"Yes, I can do this. I will send them left. I will send them right. I will send them down the center.

I have no idea what I’m talking about. Good luck Brows," the 80-year-old actor said.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) is introduced prior to a game at Huntington Bank Field.Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Winkler has no experience coaching at any competitive football level, but he isn’t entirely without a background in the sport either. One of his most famous works was his "Coach Klein" role for the 1998 Adam Sandler movie, "The Waterboy."

The Browns are taking a different path on the coaching front after missing the NFL playoffs for the second straight season under Kevin Stefanski, who, despite being a two-time NFL Coach of the Year, was unable to develop sustained success for the AFC North franchise.

Under Stefanski, the Browns went 45-56 through the 101 games he coached and won a game in three playoff contests.

If Winkler somehow miraculously lands the job, he will at least be working with another Sandler in the form of Shedeur Sanders.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: