Browns set to hire Stefanski as next coach
The Browns didn’t pass on Kevin Stefanski a second time.
They’re hiring the Vikings offensive coordinator to be its new coach, according to reports Sunday.
Stefanski agreed to accept the position a day after the Vikings were beaten 27-10 by the 49ers in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs.
An official announcement is expected Monday.
The 37-year-old Stefanski nearly became the Browns coach a year ago but finished as a runner-up when the team selected Freddie Kitchens, a surprise hire who was fired after a disappointing, drama-filled 6-10 season. Stefanski spent this last season bolstering his varied resume running the Vikings offense, and the Browns made sure they didn’t let him get away again.
Stefanski, who had been with the Vikings since 2006, is the Browns’ 10th full-time coach since the franchise’s expansion rebirth in 1999. He’s the sixth coach hired by Browns owner Jimmy Haslam since he bought the team in 2012.
His selection means that no new minority candidates were hired by NFL teams this offseason. Of the four hires, only the Redskins’ Ron Rivera, who previously coached the Panthers, is a minority.
Broncos fire offensive coordinator, hire Shurmur: The Broncos fired offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello, and reportedly the team will hire recentlyfired Giants head coach Pat Shurmur to replace him.
Scangarello, a disciple of 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, struggled in his first gig calling offensive plays for first-year coach Vic Fangio as the Broncos (7-9) regressed in almost every offensive category in 2019.
The Broncos offense averaged just 17.6 points.
Graham to lead Giants defense: Patrick Graham will leave his job as Dolphins defensive coordinator to take the same role with the Giants, ESPN reported.
The Dolphins will promote defensive pass game coordinator/cornerback coach Josh Boyer to defensive coordinator.
Graham served on the Patriots staff under new Giants coach Joe Judge from 2012-15.
Edelman arrested in LA: Patriots star receiver Julian Edelman was arrested in Southern California on suspicion of misdemeanor vandalism after jumping on the hood of someone’s car, authorities said.
Edelman, 33, caused unspecified damage when he jumped on the vehicle Saturday night on a commercial block of Beverly Hills, police Lt. Elisabeth Albanese said in a statement.
Edelman was released on a citation and is scheduled to appear in court April 13.
The wide receiver made huge plays during the Patriots’ historic comeback against the Falcons in the Super Bowl following the 2016 season, which the Patriots won 34-28.
He won Super Bowl MVP honors in the Patriots’ 20-17 victory last season against the Rams.
Edelman led the Patriots during the 2019 regular season with 100 receptions, 1,117 yards and six touchdowns. But nagging injuries took a toll. He was mostly a non-factor in the Patriots’ 20-13 wild-card upset loss to the Titans.
Johnson to Hall: Jimmy Johnson, who coached the Cowboys to two Super Bowl championships in the 1990s, was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The hall announced the selection of Johnson, 76, on Sunday as part of a centennial class that was chosen by a special committee. Former Steelers coach Bill Cowher was revealed Saturday as the other coach being inducted.