Brownies meeting w/Stefanski today...
The Browns' coaching search went back on the road Thursday.
The team is interviewing Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski, who took a break from playoff planning to meet with Cleveland's group.
Stefanski was a finalist last year for the Browns' job, which went to Freddie Kitchens but came open again after a woeful 6-10 season.
The 37-year-old Stefanski is the seventh candidate to meet with the Browns, who talked with Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz on Wednesday. The Browns are scheduled to interview Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels on Friday. He's the presumed favorite to get the gig because McDaniels has NFL head coaching experience and success working with star quarterback Tom Brady.
Two years ago, McDaniels agreed to coach the Indianapolis Colts, but he backed out to stay with New England. He went 11-17 as Denver's coach in 2009-10.
Stefanski has never been a head coach, but it seems to be only a matter of time before he's hired — either by the Browns or someone else.
He broke into coaching at 24 with Minnesota as an assistant in 2006. Stefanski has survived numerous regime changes with the Vikings and coached the team's running backs, tight ends and quarterbacks before becoming the offensive coordinator this season.
Stefanski helped guide the Vikings to a 10-6 regular-season record, and they stunned the New Orleans Saints in the wild-card game last weekend. Minnesota's winning touchdown was set up by a 43-yard pass from Kirk Cousins to wide receiver Adam Thielen, who believes Stefanski is ready to be a head coach.
“He'd do a great job in that role,” Thielen said. "He’s got such a great demeanor about him. He doesn’t get too high and he doesn’t get too low, and I think that’s a great demeanor to have as a head coach. I think he controls the room extremely well. I think he brings a positive energy at all times, and I just think that he’s very organized and he’s prepared and would do a great job in that role.
"Obviously, we have a lot of respect for him in this building and don’t want to lose him, but that’s just how this business works, and we’ll see how it goes. He has all the things you need to be a good coach in this league, and I’m sure he’ll get his opportunity at some point.”
On Saturday, Stefanski's offense will match up against the San Francisco 49ers and their defense led by coordinator Robert Saleh, who interviewed with the Browns last week.
Cleveland owner Jimmy Haslam and his search team have also met with former Packers coach Mike McCarthy, who has since taken the Dallas job, Ravens coordinator Greg Roman, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
http://www.startribune.com/browns-meet-with-vikings-oc-stefanski-for-coaching-job/566845822/
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
There is no way Stefanski could be 100% focused on the game this week. Total BS.
@"JimmyinSD" said: so the niner DC will be motivated tomorrow to show the browns he is better than stefanksi.And vice versa perhaps. I find it fascinating that Stefanski is going after the same job again.
@"Vikergirl" said:He was interviewing. Doesn't really mean he was going after it. Lots of reasons to interview when you are called.@"JimmyinSD" said: so the niner DC will be motivated tomorrow to show the browns he is better than stefanksi. And vice versa perhaps. I find it fascinating that Stefanski is going after the same job again.
@"JR44" said: There is no way Stefanski could be 100% focused on the game this week. Total BS.For better or for worse, that might mean that Kubiak has a bigger-than-usual impact on the game plan.
@"JR44" said: There is no way Stefanski could be 100% focused on the game this week. Total BS.I think these guys have a lot of the work done up front regarding the interview process. It's still a distraction, but I don't think as bad as a time suck as we think.
@"greediron" said:@"Vikergirl" said:He was interviewing. Doesn't really mean he was going after it. Lots of reasons to interview when you are called.@"JimmyinSD" said: so the niner DC will be motivated tomorrow to show the browns he is better than stefanksi. And vice versa perhaps. I find it fascinating that Stefanski is going after the same job again.
Ok going through the process, however you want to word it.
@"greediron" said:@"Vikergirl" said:He was interviewing. Doesn't really mean he was going after it. Lots of reasons to interview when you are called.@"JimmyinSD" said: so the niner DC will be motivated tomorrow to show the browns he is better than stefanksi. And vice versa perhaps. I find it fascinating that Stefanski is going after the same job again.
Don't want to get a reputation of playing too hard to get on your first go round. Don't burn bridges in front of you.
@"Vikergirl" said: Maybe Cleveland is trying to correct a mistake.
They would have to go back 20 years and leave the NFL without a team in Sadsackville
@"BigAl99" said:@"greediron" said:@"Vikergirl" said:He was interviewing. Doesn't really mean he was going after it. Lots of reasons to interview when you are called.@"JimmyinSD" said: so the niner DC will be motivated tomorrow to show the browns he is better than stefanksi. And vice versa perhaps. I find it fascinating that Stefanski is going after the same job again.
Don't want to get a reputation of playing too hard to get on your first go round. Don't burn bridges in front of you.
but you also dont want to get saddled with a no win situation in your first go round either, or you might not get a second chance.
@"JimmyinSD" said:@"BigAl99" said:@"greediron" said:@"Vikergirl" said:He was interviewing. Doesn't really mean he was going after it. Lots of reasons to interview when you are called.@"JimmyinSD" said: so the niner DC will be motivated tomorrow to show the browns he is better than stefanksi. And vice versa perhaps. I find it fascinating that Stefanski is going after the same job again.
Don't want to get a reputation of playing too hard to get on your first go round. Don't burn bridges in front of you.
but you also dont want to get saddled with a no win situation in your first go round either, or you might not get a second chance.Doesn't mean he has to take the job. But you don't refuse the interview.
@"greediron" said:@"JimmyinSD" said:@"BigAl99" said:@"greediron" said:@"Vikergirl" said:He was interviewing. Doesn't really mean he was going after it. Lots of reasons to interview when you are called.@"JimmyinSD" said: so the niner DC will be motivated tomorrow to show the browns he is better than stefanksi. And vice versa perhaps. I find it fascinating that Stefanski is going after the same job again.
Don't want to get a reputation of playing too hard to get on your first go round. Don't burn bridges in front of you.
but you also dont want to get saddled with a no win situation in your first go round either, or you might not get a second chance.Doesn't mean he has to take the job. But you don't refuse the interview.
i think it really depends on the situation. if you are sitting at home then no, you do the interview. if you are still coaching and arent interested in the job IMO you wouldnt get dinged for saying thank you for your consideration, but I am committed to this team until the season is over and wouldnt want to have the distraction at this time.
@"BarrNone55" said:Reading some other reports, it sounds like McDaniels really wants this job. He's had his eye on it for the past couple years and it hasn't worked out. Hopefully the rumors are true and we are locked in with Stefanski for another season as OC. I'd love to see some continuity for the Vikings offense...Mort tells us@680TheFan he expects Browns & Josh McDaniels announcement probably comes by end of the day. @mortreport
RELATED:
Paul Allen addressed the interview with KS today on Florio's show. The Browns interviewed him after practice was over on Thursday....e said that Zimmer was fine with it as the game plan was firmly settled on.
That said, I think Cleveland announces Josh McDanials yet today as their new head coach.
Hmm... Twitter Browns reporters are saying McDaniels interview lasted 7 hrs =), but he just left the facility... presumably without a deal :s
@"pattersaur" said: Hmm... Twitter Browns reporters are saying McDaniels interview lasted 7 hrs =), but he just left the facility... presumably without a deal :sNot good....There has to be a way where a franchise could set-up a nice succession to avoid turmoil and keep young, coaching talent.
Doesnt seem too difficult - give them an asst hc title, big check and a promise of the whole pie in a year or 2 down the road.
You'd think the Patriots would be doing the same to keep McDaniels.
I can see this working in a winning culture, not necessarily one where the owners want to flush everything including the GM.
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