The Cleveland Browns have begun their head coaching search following Kevin Stefanski’s firing Monday, and a former Super Bowl champion is already gaining traction as the frontrunner for the job.
The Browns parted ways with Stefanski after a 5-12 campaign. The two-time Coach of the Year went 45-56 with Cleveland over six seasons, making the playoffs twice.
“We have tremendous gratitude for Kevin’s leadership of the Cleveland Browns over the last six seasons,” Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a statement. “He is a good football coach and an even better person. We appreciate all his hard work and dedication to our organization but our results over the last two seasons have not been satisfactory, and we believe a change at the head coaching position is necessary. We wish Kevin, Michelle and the Stefanski family all the best in the future.”
Leading the pack of candidates out of the gate are Kliff Kingsbury and Mike McCarthy, per Kalshi. Kingsbury is the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders, while McCarthy took a year off after parting ways with the Dallas Cowboys following the 2024 season.
McCarthy has a strong resume, with more than three decades of NFL experience. He’s 174-112-2 overall as a head coach and won Super Bowl XLV with the Green Bay Packers. He reeled off three consecutive seasons with 12 wins during his most recent stint with the Cowboys. But McCarthy and Dallas decided to mutually part ways after a 7-10 campaign.
Browns GM Andrew Berry to Lead Coaching Search
The Browns parted ways with Stefanski but retained general manager Andrew Berry, who will lead the coaching search. Berry and Stefanski appeared linked for most of their tenure in Cleveland. However, it would have been hard to let Berry go after he nailed the most recent draft, bringing in multiple rookies who will be long-term contributors.
Berry is now looking for the team’s next skipper, and the team is confident in his ability to lead the search.
“We’ll start the head coach search literally this afternoon,” Jimmy Haslam said. “Andrew Berry will lead that effort. Key members of his organization as well as ownership will be involved in the process. You all have been through these processes before and I think we have a good plan laid out.”
One internal candidate the Browns may look at is defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Despite finishing 5-12, Cleveland finished No. 4 overall in yards allowed per game (283.6) and No. 3 in pass yards allowed (167.2).
Ex-Browns Coach Kevin Stefanski Top Candidate for New Job
Stefanski is out of a job but it may not last long. Albert Breer of the MMQB said after the announcement that Stefanski instantly became “a top candidate for the Titans and Giants jobs.”
Stefanski has been linked to the Giants previously. New York is coming off a 4-13 campaign and holds the No. 5 pick in the draft. But the team has a lot of young talent to work with, including Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers.
The Titans are in a similar boat, with No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward established as the team’s quarterback. He had a difficult rookie season but would provide stability at the position that Stefanski did not have in Cleveland.
Browns’ Coaching Search Begins With Super Bowl Champ as Favorite After Stefanski Exit