Kevin Stefanski's tenure with the Cleveland Browns is over after a disappointing 5-12 campaign in 2025, as team owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam seek a change in leadership
After six seasons manning the sidelines in Cleveland, Kevin Stefanski is officially out as Browns head coach. The franchise announced its decision on Monday following a thrilling Week 18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
The move comes after several weeks of speculation that the two sides could be poised to part ways at the conclusion of the season. Entering Week 18, there was a general consensus that Stefanski was coaching his final game for the Browns. It proved to be true, less than 24 hours later.
In a statement, team owner's Jimmy and Dee Haslam explained the decision, also expressing their appreciation for Stefanski's efforts in trying to reshape the culture of the franchise over the last six years.
"We have tremendous gratitude for Kevin's leadership of the Cleveland Browns over the last six seasons," they said in a statement. "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. We wish Kevin, Michelle and the Stefanski family all the best in the future."
Their statement also confirmed speculation that, Executive Vice President of Football Operations and general manager Andrew Berry is safe. He'll remain a key figure in shaping the direction of the organization in 2026, and will help identify a new coach to lead the team.
"Andrew Berry will continue to lead our football operations," the Haslams added. "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."
Berry and Stefanski both joined the organization in 2020 and quickly established a new culture by leading the Browns to their first playoff appearance in nearly 20 years in their first season together. Over the years, they were considered a packaged deal, presenting themselves as "thought partners," through the organization's key decisions. Now, they'll go there seperate ways.
Berry offered a statement of his own in support of Stefanski's efforts throughout their time together.
"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.
"Most recently, Kevin's steady hand led us through the most turbulent part of our strategic pivot and transitional period. Working with a young team and imperfect roster, he laid a foundation of professionalism while also creating an environment of learning for a new wave of Browns players. I am disappointed that we could not accomplish more together and the collective underperformance of our group is something I own. 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."
A second playoff berth followed three years later in 2023, but the team's infamous trade for Deshaun Watson in 2022 shaped the struggles that followed in the two seasons since. During that stretch, Cleveland went 8-26 paving the way for his dismissal.
The 43-year-old leaves with a 45-56 record across his six seasons with the Browns. Sunday's win broke a two-way tie with Marty Schottenheimer for the fourth most wins in franchise history.
Stefanski exit marks the sixth time Jimmy Haslam has fired a head coach since taking over the franchise in 2012. That list of ousted coaches under Haslam includes Pat Shurmur, Rob Chudzinski, Mike Pettine, Hue Jackson and Freddie Kitchens.
With Berry still intact, he and Haslam will now embark on the organization's latest search for a head coach. Which candidates rise to the top of the list for Cleveland will be revealed in the days and weeks ahead.
Notably, the NFL recently tweaked the timeline for hiring coaches and high-level executives. Teams can start requesting interviews with candidates this coming week and can interview candidates from teams who aren't playing in the wild-card round as soon as Tuesday (for teams who played Saturday night) and Wednesday (for the rest of the teams that played on Sunday).
Teams can then start conducting in-person interviews on Jan. 19 for currently employed candidates, with a second round of in-person interviews being permitted starting Jan. 26. Those dates don't apply to any candidates who aren't currently employed by a team.
The Browns are one of four teams so far that will be looking for a new head coach this hiring cycle. The Tennessee Titans and New York Giants both executed mid-season firings, while the Atlanta Falcons cleaned house with their front office on Sunday evening.
A two-time coach of the year, Stefanski is expected to be a highly coveted candidate by other teams with head coach vacancies.