Kevin Stefanski is on his way to Atlanta. Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Kevin Stefanski lands Falcons job, gets to prove he wasn't problem in Cleveland

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Jan 18, 2026 9:01 AM ET

The Atlanta Falcons have their new head coach, and it is a two-time NFL Coach of the Year. The Falcons announced on Saturday evening that they have hired former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski to take over their sidelines.

Stefanski spent the past six seasons with the Browns and was fired shortly after a five-win performance this season.

Kevin Stefanski gets to prove he was not the problem in Cleveland

Stefanski was one of the biggest and most popular names on the head-coaching carousel this offseason, which might seem a little surprising for a head coach with his resume.

In six years with the Browns, he had just two winning seasons, made the playoffs just two times, had an overall regular-season record of only 45-56 and won just a single playoff game. He was not even actually on the sidelines for that playoff game, as he missed it during the Covid season due to a positive COVID-19 test.

It is not the type of resume and record that normally makes a head coach highly sought after.

Welcome to Atlanta, Head Coach Kevin Stefanski! https://t.co/LMaSUdjv0O pic.twitter.com/Vv4vFAvTQr
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 18, 2026

But you also have to consider the team Stefanski was working for and the circumstances he faced.

The Browns have been one of the NFL's worst-run franchises since returning to the league in 1999, going through a revolving door of head coaches and quarterbacks that have all failed. Since returning to the league in 1999, the Browns have had just four winning seasons and only three playoff appearances.

Two of those winning seasons and two of those playoff appearances came during Stefanski's six-year watch. Given that history, the fact that he was even able to do what he did is a significant accomplishment.

Now he gets a chance with a team that has a more highly regarded owner in Arthur Blank, a young quarterback in Michael Penix Jr. and a very winnable division that was won with just eight wins. There is a chance here for Stefanski and the Falcons to win right away. If he does, it will simply be another sign that the Browns did not know what they had and did not know how to maximize it.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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