Stefanski ‘undaunted’ by Browns challenge
Clearly, Jimmy Haslam has a type of head coach he likes. One with an empty or near-empty head-coaching resume.
Understand that men with ample experience always apply. Haslam just never hires them.
The Cleveland Browns on Tuesday introduced Kevin Stefanski as the fifth new head coach Haslam has hired since he took over as principal owner in 2012, and the fourth with zero previous head-coaching experience. Only Hue Jackson had any, and just one season at that, with the Oakland Raiders in 2011.
Before a new coach’s bloom in Cleveland can even loosen and fall off the rose, a frustrated, impatient Haslam rips it off first. To wit:
■ Rob Chudzinski. Hired, January
2013. Fired, December 2013.
■ Mike Pettine. Hired, January
2014. Fired, January 2016.
■ Jackson. Hired, January 2016.
Fired, October 2018.
■ And replaced on an interim basis by Gregg Williams, who applied to have the interim tag removed, but got removed himself.
■ Freddie Kitchens. Hired, January
2019. Fired, December 2019.
So, what makes Stefanski — previously offensive co-ordinator of the Minnesota Vikings — believe his fate can be any different from his too-numerous short-term predecessors? Especially after getting interviewed last year at this time but losing out to Kitchens?
“I am undeterred. And I am undaunted,” the 37-year-old Stefanski told a news conference. “And I think the challenge is there, and I can’t wait to be a part of this change.”
Yeah, but all his predecessors preached the same message from the same dais, so what makes Stefanski think his fate will be any different?
“I understand that,” he said. “For me, and it’s easy, the focus is 2020. We’re not looking backward; we’re looking forward. And I hope all of our players know that too. When they walk into that building, whenever it is in April, we’re moving forward. And anything that has happened in our past does not affect our future.
“Why am I confident about that? Because I’ve been in the building. I know the people that we have. I know that we’re going to add to that building. I know we’re going to add players, as happens in the NFL. But I’m excited for this challenge, and I’m ready for it.”
On other topics, Stefanski said as he puts his staff together he’ll decide whether he himself will call offensive plays, or whether he’ll delegate that to an assistant. He also heaped praise on Browns starting quarterback Baker Mayfield.
As for hiring a coaching staff, and a GM as well, Stefanski promised
“we’re going to be very methodical about this. We’re in no rush to do this. We want to get it right.”
Later, Haslam and Stefanski were asked to comment on reports claiming Stefanski not only must meet weekly with Haslam and the Browns’ top analytics guru — chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta — but submit to them his coaching staff’s game plan by Friday before every Sunday game, for discussion. This, after a long meeting between those parties on Mondays.
“If you owned a pro football team, would you meet with the head coach the Monday after the game?” Haslam said. “Of course you would. I mean, of course we would.
“The rumours out there, though, about presenting the game plan — those kind are just totally inaccurate, and I really think they’re irresponsible.”
GATES RETIRES
Antonio Gates, who never played college football, announced his retirement Tuesday after 16 seasons with the Chargers franchise.
Gates caught more touchdowns (116) than any tight end in NFL history.
“I find it hard to officially put this statement out and retire from the game of football,” Gates said in a statement.
The 39-year-old also ranks No. 1 among tight ends in NFL history with 21 multi-touchdown games, No. 1 with 39 TDs on third down, and No. 4 with 21 hundred-yard games. He did not play in 2019, after missing only 16 games over 16 years.
ROOKIES OF THE YEAR
The Bay Area featured the top NFL rookies in 2019.
Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs is the NFL’s offensive rookie of the year, while San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa is the top rookie defender and overall top rookie, according to the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). Arizona’s Kyler Murray was named QB on PFWA’s all-rookie team.
RAIDERS FIRE LINE COACH
The Oakland Raiders fired defensive line coach Brentson Buckner Tuesday. NFL Network said Raiders head coach Jon Gruden is expected to replace Buckner with Rod Marinelli, whom Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy dumped as defensive co-ordinator to hire Mike Nolan for that job.
TURNING PRO
Standout University of Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa announced he’s turning pro. NCAA underclassmen three years removed from high school have until Friday to turn pro and apply for the 2020 NFL draft.