Kevin Stefanski impresses but faces huge challenge
📷 AP Photo - Phil Long
by Tom Withers - AP Sports / Edits Bud Genovese, BABB
CLEVELAND (AP) Kevin Stefanski made a favorable first impression. Dressed impeccably, he came across lawyer-like, polished, articulate and exuded confidence and passion. Now, he's got to win.
In Cleveland, that's always the issue for coaches. "I'm excited for this challenge," Stefanski said. "I'm ready for it." The former Vikings OC, who worked his way up the NFL ladder, was introduced as the Browns' new coach, the 18th in the team's history. Dee and Jimmy Haslam are hoping they got it right this time.
Stefanski inherits a talented roster that underachieved in 2019. The Browns went 6-10 last season amid a steady drizzle of drama that detracted from the few positives. Stefanski isn't concerned about the past. "The focus is 2020," he said. "We're not looking backward, we're moving forward. And I hope all of our players know that, too.
Kevin has worked under three head coaches during 14 seasons with the Vikings, and while experiencing change he developed the well-rounded skills that made him popular with players and appealed to the Browns. Stefanski said personal connections are the key to success.
"My leadership style is to be authentic," he said. “I'm going to be direct with our players and they are going to get to know me and I'm going to get to know them. I want to lead from a relationship standpoint. I'm ready and willing and excited to lead from out in front. And I'm also ready and willing to step back and let the success and the light shine on our players - where it should be."
Stefanski was joined at the news conference by his wife, Michelle and their three young children, Gabe, Will and Juliet. After being settled for so long, the Stefanski family is dealing with the shock of moving. "It's a tough 48 hours that we've been through and we've made some promises to these children," Stefanski said with a smile. "We're getting a dog. We're going to Disney World."
Stefanski was also accompanied by his mom, Karen, and dad, Ed Stefanski, an NBA executive adviser with Detroit Pistons. In describing the kind of coach he wants to be with the Browns, Stefanski said he wanted to use a basketball analogy "so my dad can understand this." "I want to be the point guard for this organization," he said. "I want to bring the ball up and I want to share the basketball and let someone else get an easy bucket."
"I pinch myself to think that I'm going to talk to Jim Brown later today," he said referring to the Hall of Fame running back. "That's my dad's favorite player growing up, so I've heard all about Jim Brown. That's special to me." Kevin has already spoken to Baker Mayfield and other players.
More on new head coach & analytics
Kevin Stefanski opined on the virtue of analytics. Unlike Kitchens, who from day one declared he'd be calling plays, Stefanski said the Browns would "work through" whether his calling plays would be the right fit. Kevin also praised everyone who worked in the Browns building, a sign that the days of perpetual infighting among warring factions in Cleveland, from front office to coaching staff, could finally be in the past. And his most memorable quote was more message to Cleveland's star players than T-shirt catchphrase:
"Personality is welcome…Your production is required."
Kevin Stefanski wants a “collective vision, with informed decisions. I am looking for any edge we can get," said Stefanski, referring to analytics, and how much it will drive what the Browns do moving forward. "Information is power." Prior coaches, Hue Jackson and Freddie Kitchens both did not use all the information tools available to help manage the team, and their incomplete style showed.
Now Stefanski is in Cleveland. And the Browns have a coach who speaks the same language as Paul DePodesta and the new front office. "Analytics, it's a tool," Stefanski said. "How does it help on game day? Well, I would meet with some of our people with the Vikings and they would help me understand as we got into this ballgame, down- and distance-wise, field position-wise, where a team may be more apt to blitz. I can tell you certain decisions you make, whether it be for protection or when to run certain plays, you have that in mind … by compiling that data. I just think it is another tool when it comes to play-calling and personnel. "We have so much of this information - let's use it to our advantage."
Browns Backers want proof!
Of course the proof is in wins and the ability of the new coach will play out this fall, but the more you learn about Kevin Stefanski, the more confident you should feel moving forward. See for yourself on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbXH_Vsjps0
Kevin presents himself as a strong, organized, confident leader. Rex Ryan agrees and stated Monday before the LSU game: “Browns have picked an outstanding young coach that will be exciting to see as he moves the Browns up…”. For sure he is good looking, as this Tweet was found by Laurel Pace of the Rochester, NY based Photo City Browns club: