Kevin Stefanski named Coach of the Year at NFL Honors

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was named the NFL Coach of the Year on Saturday night's NFL Honors.

The 38-year-old rookie head coach became the second Browns coach to win the award, after Forrett Gregg in 1976.

“I’m incredibly humbled, especially given some of the coaching we’ve witnessed this season around the NFL,” Stefanski said in a video at the awards show. “My name may be on this award, but I think this speaks to the amazing support I get day in and day out from my coaching staff with the Cleveland Browns. I’m very glad I don’t have to do this by myself.

Stefanski was hired thirteen months ago after fourteen seasons in the Minnesota Vikings' coaching staff to take over a Browns squad that had not seen postseason play since 2002. He also had to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, not meeting most of his players in person until August, and spending the team's playoff opener watching from his basement.

This past season, Cleveland finished at 11-5, their first winning record since 2007, and their 48-37 Wild Card victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers caught the attention of much of the football world, sending the message that the Browns were back.

The Browns advanced to the Divisional round, losing to the eventual AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs 22-17.

Stefanski was also named Coach of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America and The Sporting News, becoming the first coach to win all three in one season since Sean McVay in 2017.