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!
If the Browns wanted to Hire McDaniels, wouldn’t they already have done it at this point as the interview was yesterday? Seems like they may be waiting to see the outcome of today’s game and go after Stefanski if the Vikes lose?
@"Magnus10" said: If the Browns wanted to Hire McDaniels, wouldn’t they already have done it at this point as the interview was yesterday? Seems like they may be waiting to see the outcome of today’s game and go after Stefanski if the Vikes lose?
This is where I'm at too. Whether we win or lose today, I'm braced for the news that Stef is their next HC to come out after our game. Hopefully we win so I'll just be happy regardless.
browns prolly leaking this to keep Mcdaniels price down
According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, a decision on the Browns' new head coach is expected to come Sunday.A decision was expected Saturday but apparently the Browns were still deliberating. Josh McDaniels had been thought of as the favorite to succeed Freddie Kitchens, though neither of the GM candidates Cleveland plans to interview (Eagles VP of football operations Andrew Berry and Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds) have any connection to him. Kay Cabot also confirmed a report by ESPN's Chris Mortensen that Bills OC Brian Daboll, who had a "very strong" interview with Cleveland brass last week, has emerged as a dark horse candidate for the Browns' head-coaching seat. In addition to McDaniels and Daboll, the Browns have also conducted sit-downs with Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy, Ravens OC Greg Roman, 49ers DC Robert Saleh, Eagles DC Jim Schwartz and Vikings OC Kevin Stefanski. Mike McCarthy also interviewed with Cleveland before accepting the Cowboys' top job.SOURCE: Cleveland Plain DealerJan 12, 2020, 9:33 AM ET
I can't see anyone watching the game yesterday and then hiring Stefanski.
Here's the deal: Stefanski isn't getting all the credit others would because of Kubiak. I don't think Stefanski was every going to get a HC regardless this year.
@"JR44" said: I can't see anyone watching the game yesterday and then hiring Stefanski.I hope you're right. But anyone making a hiring decision based on one game, with a thousand variables, deserves what they get.
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