Five impacts the Cleveland Browns hiring of Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski will have on the team moving forward.
The Cleveland Browns hired Kevin Stefanski as their newest coach, as the team seeks to dig out of a 20-year pit of gloom and doom.
Stefanski was a popular name tied to the job right out of the gate because of his connection to the team’s Chief Strategy Officer, Paul DePodesta.
With DePodesta carrying a heavy voice in the search, the expectation was that his recommendation, who finished second for the job a year ago, but would be re-evaluated.
Stefanski became available to officially be hired Saturday night, after the Vikings bowed out of the NFC playoffs following a loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Stefanski inherits a team still loaded with skill-position talent, as Baker Mayfield, Jarvis Landry, Odell Beckham and Nick Chubb are figure to be part of the plans in 2020.
It’s rare you get to see a “Do-Over” in coaching searches, but the Browns are going for it with the addition of Stefanski.
In taking the gig, Stefanski becomes the 18th head coach (non-interim) since Paul Brown founded the franchise, and the 10th since the team was reborn in 1999.
1. Haslam trusted the process
Jimmy Haslam’s made for an easy joke during the hiring process, but the Browns’ owner stayed with the process set forth by his search committee until a decision was made.
The owner was always the wild card in the search, because there was the belief he could go through the entire process, and then do whatever he wanted.
In wake of Stefanski’s hiring, reports are starting to come out that stat what everyone had already guessed: Josh McDaniels wanted sweeping changes in the organization. He didn’t want to work for a team where Paul DePodesta was off to the side giving thumbs or down on his job performance.
Haslam stressed “alignment” during his postseason interview, and in going for Stefanski, he’ll probably find a like-minded general manager who will give the owner the organization synergy he desperately craves.
Haslam could’ve bucked the process for his supposed “White Wale,” but he didn’t. Right or wrong, he saw it through.
Now, will the decision be the one that delivers Cleveland it’s first playoff win in 26 years? Check back next January.
2. Leaning on offense
San Francisco coordinator Robert Saleh reportedly made things very tough for the search committee, according to The MMQB’s Albert Breer.
Who knows, there’s always next year? That’s supposed to be a joke, but as we all know with this team, it might not be in 12 months.
By giving the job to Stefanski, the Browns are banking on expertise for which they possess the most talent: The offense.
Kirk Cousins massive deal was mostly criticized as the veteran looked mundane after trading in his Washington D.C. zip code for the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Stefanski took over, and things started to change, although, it’s worth pointing out that Gary Kubiak, brought to Minnesota as an offensive assistant, has been credited with helping tun Cousins and the Vikings around.
In Cleveland, Stefanski has a similar situation, personnel wise, as he did when he took over play calling in Minnesota.
The quarterback has talent, but could be better, while the running back is capable of taking over games. The offensive line is suspect, but the receiving corps is capable of making several plays per game.
3. DePodesta wins
The Chief Strategy Officer was reportedly angling to have his voice heard more through the process. You couldn’t blame him, especially after the success his first recommendation as coach. Back in 2015, DePodesta favored Sean McDermott.
He even authored a “Hail Mary” e-mail to Jimmy Haslam stating why the team shouldn’t hire Hue Jackson.
Haslam went with Jackson in a move that was praised by the local media and fans, alike.
Last January, the job came down to Stefanski and Freddie Kitchens and we all know how it played out. Stefanski returned to Minnesota and the Vikings were among the NFC’s final four teams.
This year, Stefanski survived a tougher field of candidates, so even if he wasn’t your number once choice, aren’t you, at the least bit curious to see what he brings to the sidelines?
If DePodesta is truly driven by data and analytics, he should be the most unbiased person working for the Browns. The head coach search should be treated the same he valued walks in “Moneyball.” What difference is there as to how you get on? A walk, truly is as good as hit. If you score a run, it all works out in the end.
With coaching, the bottom line is winning games, and now his preferred candidate, is going to get the shot.
4. Berry the frontrunner
Before Andrew Berry departed the Browns for Philadelphia, the executive reportedly cast a vote for Stefanski to get the job over Freddie Kitchens.
Now, Berry’s an attractive GM candidate, and he’s the front runner to become Cleveland’s next general manager.
The question becomes: Does Berry take the gig? He’s only 32 and if his star keeps shining brighter, there will be other jobs to take.
But if he takes the job, Haslam will get the “Alignment” he desperately wants. Stefanski, Berry, DePodesta, all working to spread the gospel of analytics.
5. McDaniels wanted it all
McDaniels would’ve wanted sweeping changes, and while he probably made the owners think long and hard before making a final decision, DePodesta won out.
The Browns were rumored to be talking to McDaniels about letting him coach two years before giving him full control, which isn’t a bad plan. He’s unproven as a GM, but the core of the roster is good enough for him to win now.
I wonder if more will come out this? Was this offered? What did McDaniels think? What did DePodesta think?
As you might surprise, the John Carroll alum’s resume as an assistant coach needed no polishing. He’s got six Super Bowl rings, with several coming as Tom Brady‘s play caller.
However, as a GM, it’s rumored DePodesta couldn’t support him, because McDaniels was unproven.
McDaniels will likely return to New England as the team’s offensive coordinator. He’s currently the highest paid assistant coach in the league.
He truly seemed ready to jump back into the head coaching ranks this time around, but it just wasn’t meant to be in Cleveland.