The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Stefanski is Coach of the Year
Kevin Stefanski on Feb. 6was named the Associated Press Coach of the Year at the NFL Honors show for leading the Browns.
Kevin Stefanski is going to need a bigger mantle.
Stefanski on Feb. 6 was named the Associated Press Coach of the Year at the NFL Honors show for leading the Browns to an 11-5 regular season record in 2020. Earlier he was named Coach of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America and Coach of the Year by the Sporting News.
Stefanski took over a team that finished 6-10 in 2019 under Freddie Kitchens and accomplished the elusive goal of changing the culture in Berea. Coaches always talk about changing the culture, but Stefanski actually did it in one season.
“Kevin is more than deserving of this award as he has consistently messaged and embodied a team-first approach in everything he does,” team owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a statement. “While Kevin will most certainly downplay his personal contributions, his steady demeanor and servant leadership have been and will continue to be incredibly impactful for our football team and entire organization.
“We are proud to have Kevin as our head coach and this honor reflects his and our team’s collective accomplishments.”
The award is for the regular season. And though Stefanski was forced to stay home because he was recovering from COVID-19, his guidance and preparation helped the Browns beat the Steelers, 48-37, in a wild-card playoff game on Jan. 10 in Pittsburgh — the Browns’ first playoff victory in 26 seasons. A week later, the Browns fought the Kansas City Chiefs to the end before falling, 22-17, in a divisional playoff game.
Stefanski was informed earlier he was named AP Coach of the Year. He wasn’t present for the ceremony and delivered his acceptance speech via video.
“I’m incredibly humbled, especially given some of the coaching we’ve witnessed this season around the NFL,” Stefanski said. “My name may be on this award but I think this speaks to the amazing support I get day in and day out from my coaching staff with the Cleveland Browns. I’m very glad I don’t have to do this by myself.
“Then the players — it helps to have good players. I appreciate how they work every single day, week in and week out and how they fought. I appreciate that from those guys.”
• The Browns did not lose consecutive games in 2020 — something only three other teams accomplished this season.
• The Browns were the only team with a first-year head coach to make the playoffs.
• The 11 victories were the most for a Browns team since they were 11-5 in 1994.
• With Stefanski calling plays, the Browns scored 408 points, second-most in franchise history and the most since they scored 415 in the 1964 championship season when the season was 14 games instead of the current 16 games.
“For him to be a firsttime head coach, no real offseason and navigating the challenges of an NFL season amid a global pandemic,
it’s remarkable,” Browns EVP of Football Operations and GM Andrew Berry said. “His poise, his ability to handle adversity and ultimately lead our team through adversity the entire year, whether it was a loss, injuries, having players, coaches, staff out for COVID-related reasons, he never lost his cool. He never lost his poise. It obviously showed with the on-field results.”
The Associated Press began naming an NFL Coach of the Year in 1957. The only other Browns coach to win the honor was Forrest Gregg, who finished 9-5 in 1976. A year later the Browns lost six of their last seven games. Gregg was fired and replaced by Sam Rutigliano.