• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Browns Nation

Browns News. Rumors. Highlights. Now

  • Home
  • News
  • Free Agents
  • Draft
  • Podcast
  • History
  • All-Time Lists
  • Team
    • Shop
    • Schedule
  • About
You are here: Home / Daily News / Kevin Stefanski Is Grateful That Browns Passed On Him In 2019

Kevin Stefanski Is Grateful That Browns Passed On Him In 2019

By Pat Opperman February 6, 2021 @BabyKnowsSports

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski on the field during the Cleveland Browns Training Camp on August 29, 2020, at the at the Cleveland Browns Training Facility in Berea, Ohio.
(Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)

 

Kevin Stefanski was a finalist for the Cleveland Browns head coaching position two years ago.

John Dorsey famously won a front office tug-of-war when Jimmy Haslam named Freddie Kitchens instead.

Stefanski finally moved into the coach’s office after Cleveland’s lost season of 2019.

Fans and pundits generally agree the Kitchens hire was a mistake after Stefanski’s 2020 Coach of the Year effort.

But count the Browns head coach among the few who are grateful for the extra year before he took the reigns.

Kevin Stefanski grateful for year spent with Gary Kubiak https://t.co/lisSIJfRAG

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) February 5, 2021

Stefanski credits the season he spent working with Gary Kubiak in Minny as a factor in his Cleveland success.

After he finished the 2018 season as the interim offensive coordinator, coach Mike Zimmer gave the title to Stefanski.

But then he hired Kubiak as an assistant head coach and “advisor” and let Kubiak bring 3 additional coaches with him.

If that upset Stefanski or made him uncomfortable, he won’t admit to it today.

As he told Mary Kay Abbot of Cleveland.com,

“Not many people are lucky enough to have a setup like that. It was such a valuable year for me to grow. I’m thrilled that I was able to have that opportunity under coach Zim, with coach Kub. It really made me better.”

 

What Happened During That Extra Season in Minnesota

 

Stefanski says he leaned on the long time NFL coach, speaking with him every week.

And he was not just talking about his time in Minnesota.

Stefanski said he spoke with Kubiak every week during the 2020 season, too.

Kevin Stefanski was named Coach of the Year by Sporting News and PFWA. #RETWEET IF YOU AGREE!!!!! pic.twitter.com/NnPWF6p84R

— Cleveland Sports Talk (@CLEsportsTalk) January 21, 2021

When speaking about Kubiak’s zone-blocking and play-action offense, Stefanski told Cabot,

“For years, that scheme has been very hard on defenses, when you talk about defending the run game and the play-action game. I had never been in that scheme specifically. I had my own thoughts about the run game and play-action game, but to be able to be exposed to coach Kub and the different nuance that he had into those plays was incredible for me.”

Kubiak verified Stefanski’s comfort with the potentially awkward situation working with him in 2019.

Shortly after Stefanski was hired by Cleveland, Kubiak told Tony Grossi, writing for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850ESPN,

“Kevin’s awesome. That tells you what kind of person Kevin is. He basically let all these new guys in his room and yet he was the boss and he put it together and did a great job with that room.”

Kubiak, who retired from coaching last month, offered this advice to Stefanski last year.

“There’s no manual [to being a head coach] in the NFL. It’s a tremendous challenge. You put good people around you and go to work.”

With insightful wisdom like that, it’s no wonder Stefanski credits Kubiak for some of his success in Cleveland.

Recent News

Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram (54) before an AFC West game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs on December 29, 2019 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO.
Should The Browns Pursue Melvin Ingram In Free Agency?
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) participates in drills during the Cleveland Browns Training Camp on August 30, 2020, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, OH.
OBJ, Saquon Barkley Rehabbing Together In Offseason
Chicago Bears Cornerback Buster Skrine (24) warms up prior to an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Chicago Bears on November 24, 2019, at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL.
Should The Cleveland Browns Sign Former DB Buster Skrine?

Filed Under: Daily NewsTagged With: Cleveland Browns

About Pat Opperman

Pat Opperman retired from real life to watch and write about the NFL (especially the Cleveland Browns), MLB, and Fantasy Football. Strike up a conversation here or on Twitter @BabyKnowsSports

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Primary Sidebar

Search Browns Nation

Trending News

Footer

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

 

Join Our Newsletter

Contact Us

 

Follow us

Copyright © 2021 · ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - Brownsnation.com

Copyright © 2020 · ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BrownsNation.com is not affiliated with the Cleveland Browns or the National Football League