Dawg Pound Daily
FanSided

Background on every reported Cleveland Browns head coach candidate

By Dan Justik

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 13: Minnesota Vikings Offensive Coordinator Kevin Stefanski calls plays in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-20.(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 13: Minnesota Vikings Offensive Coordinator Kevin Stefanski calls plays in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-20.(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 11
Next
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 24: Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski on the sidelines in the fourth quarter of the preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 24: Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski on the sidelines in the fourth quarter of the preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski

Kevin Stefanski was almost the Cleveland Browns head coach last offseason, but then Browns general manager John Dorsey decided to name Freddie Kitchens head coach. Stefanski was the No. 1 candidate for numerous members of the Browns front office, including Paul DePodesta.

In 2019, Stefanski spent his first season as Minnesota’s offensive coordinator. He was the interim offensive coordinator for the final three games of the 2018 season after starting the season as the quarterbacks coach.

Minnesota had the 16th ranked offense in 2019, averaging 353.5 yards per game, and the eighth-best scoring offense, averaging 25.4 points per game. The Vikings had the 23rd ranked passing offense and the sixth-best rushing offense.

Stefanski has been with the Vikings since 2006 and has served in several roles during his 14 seasons with the team. The 37-year-old has been an assistant to the head coach, quarterbacks coach, running backs coach, and tight ends coach.

Stefanski is credited with building Minnesota’s 2019 offense around Dalvin Cook and the running game. As Cook excelled, it created openings for Kirk Cousins and the passing offense to move the ball down the field.

With DePodesta leading the search, Stefanski is one of the favorites for the Browns head coaching vacancy. Stefanski was DePodesta’s pick last offseason, despite only being a coordinator for three games. After a solid full season as coordinator, Stefanski will likely be a finalist once again.

Home/Browns News