Stefanski impresses with leadership in unique first year

In his first season as ahead coach, Kevin Stefanski has been challenged inways he couldn’t have imagined.

Thecoronaviruspandemic wipedouttheBrowns’offseasonprogram, minicampsand preseason games, handicappingayoungteamwithanew staff. Following the death of GeorgeFloyd, social injustice dominated the thoughts of his players, including some who have been racially targeted. Then when training camp began, the Browns were beset with a rash of injuries, especially to the secondary.

Through it all, Stefanski has impressed players and coaches with his leadership.

“It showed the type of man he is. He’s been a great leader, despite all that’s been going on,” safety Sheldrick Redwine said in a Zoom video conference Friday. “He’s hammered down on us keeping our heads, never letting anything get too out of control.

“Just basically getting us to understand it sucks, but it sucks for everybody around. The team that comes out of it the best will play the best. He’s been a great leader in that field.”

Stefanski, 38, spent the previous 14 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and defensive backs coach Jeff Howard was with Stefanski for the past seven.

“It’sbeenobviouslyunique with somany things goingon in our world today ... with COVID, civil unrest, political unrest. Dealing in that environment, it’s been fun to watch Kevinwork,” Howard said via Zoom. “Something he always talks about is ‘You need to find a way. Regardless of the situation, find a way to get it done.’ Really trying tofocusonsolutions and not problems and not get too bent out of shape when things don’t go our way, just try to handle [it] the best that we possibly can and move on.

“I feel like his leadership has pushed that through the rest of the group and that’s been fun to watch.”

Howard said that outlook and message is typical of Stefanski.

“I’ve seen Kevin go through some very challenging situations as an individual coach, also as a coordinator or a leader. I’ve always been impressed with how he handles himself,” Howard said.

In terms of football, the Browns experienced a tough day Monday. Rookie safety Grant Delpit was carted off with a torn Achilles, cornerback Greedy Williams hurt his shoulder and nickel back M.J. Stewart injured his hamstring. Stewart had been filling in for Kevin Johnson, who suffered a lacerated liver. None of the four have returned to practice, with Delpit lost for the season.

“That was a lot that happened to us,” Howard said. “I’ve spent a lot of time talking to our group. I feel like football really doesn’t produce character, it really tests character and that situation is one example. Going through the season we’re going to get hit in themouth, it’s ‘How are you going to handle it?’”