Cleveland Browns: Grading head coach Kevin Stefanski at the first quarter mark

Media Relations

A head coach has to be two things; most importantly, he has to be a leader of men, and as a consequence of his job title; a head coach has to be a politician when it comes to dealing with the media. Many coaches have come through Cleveland, won their introductory press conference, and then as the losses mounted up the contention grew between the coach and the media. Every word the coach says will be scrutinized and dissected.

Stefanski navigates the media like a savvy veteran. He’s a man that is about his business and comes off as a professional in every sense of the word. One thing he does not participate in, the baiting game that the media likes to play. Stefanski will shut down negativity with facts and always puts his players first. Handling the media in the manner that he does is something that has trickled down to his players.

Media relations first quarter grade: A

Overall Grade

The NFL is a bottom-line business and you are what your record says you are. Head coaches, much like quarterbacks, are ultimately judged by wins and losses. Right now, Stefanski has the Browns at 3-1 and trending upward.

Kevin Stefanski’s overall first-quarter grade: A-

Only time will tell if he is going to able to keep this up, but after the first quarter of the season, Stefanski is off to an excellent start and is passing with flying colors.