The Cleveland Browns have dismissed head coach Kevin Stefanski following six seasons. The decision comes after Cleveland finished the season 5-12 and closed the last two years with just eight wins across 34 games. Stefanski, 43, compiled a 45-56 record overall and led the Browns to two of their three playoff appearances since returning to the league in 1999. He was named NFL Coach of the Year twice, earning the honor after 11-win seasons in 2020 and 2023.
General manager Andrew Berry said in a statement: “This was a difficult decision and today is a tough day for our organization because of the impact Kevin has had and the deep, meaningful relationships he has built across our building. We have great respect for Kevin, who has led our organization through both unique and challenging circumstances over his six seasons. Over that time, he has been more than a coach but also a partner, friend and stabilizing force for our team. He has always led authentically and cared deeply for Browns players, coaches and staff all while investing every ounce of energy into improving the team daily.”
Berry acknowledged shortcomings within the organization, citing a young roster and broader transition: “I am disappointed that we could not accomplish more together and the collective underperformance of our group is something I own,” he said. “We will remain steadfast in our commitment to our fans in building the Browns into an organization that sustains success. Now, our attention turns to the search for the person to lead and develop what will be a young offense with heavy investment over the next six months to match and build on the performance of a young defense that is already playing at an elite level.”
Team owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam echoed the sentiment but pointed to results as the driving factor behind the move: “We have tremendous gratitude for Kevin’s leadership of the Cleveland Browns over the last six seasons. 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. The entirety of our focus is on building a team that brings our fans the success they long deserve, and we will continue to work relentlessly towards that goal and invest whatever resources necessary to build a winning football program. Andrew will immediately begin our thorough process to find an outstanding new head coach and leader of our football team. We have an exciting young core to build upon, and Andrew and his team are intent on adding talent to this core and building out a roster that can achieve sustainable success.”
Stefanski signed a contract extension in 2024 but faced growing pressure as Cleveland’s offense struggled. Despite fielding one of the league’s top defenses this season, the Browns ranked near the bottom in offensive production. Stefanski relinquished play-calling duties midseason to Tommy Rees, marking the second straight year he made such a move after previously handing responsibilities to Ken Dorsey.
In a farewell statement, Stefanski expressed appreciation for his time in Cleveland: “After six seasons as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, I leave with an immense sense of gratitude,” he said. “When I arrived in January of 2020, this organization, this community and Browns fans embraced me and my family with open arms. I cannot express properly in words how good we have been treated. A sincere ‘Thank You’ to everyone who I have been so blessed to work for and with over these six seasons. I’d like to especially thank my coaching staff and the players who did everything that was ever asked of them. They fought through injury and adversity, while always putting the team first. I wish all of you nothing but success.”
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