Kevin Stefanski: The leader the Browns need

The Browns hired former Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach on Sunday, Jan. 12. He is the team’s 18th head coach since they returned to Cleveland in 2002. However, despite constant turnover in the past, Stefanski is the right man to turn the organization around. As he said himself, he’s “undeterred and undaunted” by the team’s troubled history.

When Browns’ owner Jimmy Haslam was asked about what he is looking for in a head coach, he described a “true leader, and someone who is football smart.” Stefanski fits the description perfectly.

First and foremost, he’s someone that players look up to and trust. He describes his coaching style as “servant leadership,” suggesting a humility and fresh perspective that’s desperately needed on the Browns’ sideline.

Nowhere is the effect of his leadership more evident than in the words of his former players in Minnesota. Running back Dalvin Cook claims that “the entire organization will benefit from his leadership.” 

“The command he had over the locker room and the respect he had from the team was second to none,” tight end Kyle Rudolph added. “The way he prepared each week and helped me prepare was top notch.”

Efficacy of leadership is perhaps the most important factor to consider when judging a head coach and, based off the remarks of people who’ve worked with Stefanski, he’s certainly well-equipped for the job.

However, when choosing a football coach, football acumen is likewise essential. Some question Stefanski’s lack of experience as a play-caller, which is fair given their PTSD from Freddie Kitchens’ disastrous tenure last season. Despite his small sample size, however, Stefanksi has already shown the potential to be a great offensive mind.

The Vikings’ offense improved immensely when he took over, as they went from 22nd in total points to sixth. Quarterback Kirk Cousins also made tactical and statistical improvements under Stefanksi’s leadership that temporarily placed him in MVP contention. Cousins’ improvement should be encouraging for Baker Mayfield.

In Minnesota, Stefanski featured the run game heavily in his offense, as the Vikings finished with the second most running plays in the league. He mixed this with play action passes to create a multi-faceted offense, a scheme which will translate beautifully to the Browns. They have two star running backs in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt who can carry a run-heavy offense. Last year, the Browns were the best in the NFL in play action. Unfortunately, they used this advantage the fifth least of any team; Stefanski will change that.

Stefanski also boasts experience with a team that is very similar to the Browns. The Vikings had a star running back in Dalvin Cook and two star receivers in Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, a lineup comparable to the Browns’ Chubb, Hunt, Landry and Beckham.

Many of these players have big personalities, which can be an issue for a new head coach. Stefanski, however, knows to let players like Beckham be themselves while still eliciting the highest level of efficiency and strength on the field. As he said during his initial press conference, “personality is welcome, but production is required.”

Despite the Browns’ countless failures since 2002, it feels like there’s finally hope for the franchise in the hiring of a great leader and football mind like Stefanski.