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3 most recent updates to the Cleveland Browns coaching search

By Dan Justik

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 21: New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels reacts before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 21: New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels reacts before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /
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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) /

Kevin Stefanski would pass on the Browns?

The other front-runner for the Cleveland Browns head coaching vacancy has been Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski. He was the other finalist for the Browns head coaching vacancy last offseason, but the Browns decided to hire Freddie Kitchens instead.

However, even though he may still be one of the favorites for the Browns once again during this coaching search, it may not be up to the Browns to hire him. According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Stefanski may pass on the Browns for the Panthers, who he will also interview with, because of the quick trigger of the Haslams when it comes to firing coaches.

Cabot was also told that how the Browns handled the second round of interviews last offseason would cause Stefanski to choose Carolina instead of the Browns. The Browns were reportedly flying Stefanski to Cleveland for a second interview last offseason, but decided at the last-minute to hire Kitchens instead.

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Stefanski was the choice of Paul DePodesta, who is running the coaching search this offseason, and the analytics department. However, John Dorsey and Jimmy Haslam ignored the recommendations for Stefanski and chose Kitchens.

In his first full season as Vikings offensive coordinator, Stefanski has built a scheme tailored to the strengths of his personnel, and it helped guide the Vikings to the playoffs. Minnesota’s offense also helped the Vikings upset the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the playoffs.

The Browns are still expected to interview Stefanski this week, but they would be unable to sign him to a contract if he decides to choose the Browns because he is still in the playoffs. But it appears it will be much harder to hire Stefanski this offseason than it would have been last offseason.

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