January 20, 2026
Article by Allison Smith
Photos Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons
Late Saturday evening, Kevin Stefanski was named the 20th Head Coach of the Atlanta Falcons. Stefanski was fired at the end of the season from the Cleveland Browns after serving as the Head Coach for the last 5 years. He was named the Associated Press Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2023 for leading the Browns to 11 – 5 and 11 – 6 records. Their playoff berth in 2020 was the first for Cleveland since 2002.
Stefanski is 43 years old, and hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a Defensive Back for Penn, where he became the Assistant Director of Football Operations after graduation. Stefanski has been coaching in the NFL since 2006, starting with an Assistant to the Head Coach for Minnesota, moving to the Assistant Quarterback Coach, coaching Tight Ends, to Running Backs, to Quarterbacks, to Interim Offensive Coordinator to Offensive Coordinator in 2019. He survived 3 coaching changes in his tenure at Minnesota. He left to become the 2020 Head Coach of Cleveland.
Stefanski is a forward focusing coach and very offensive minded. He is known for maximizing talent, leading a punishing run game, by having a strong offensive line. Because of all of this, Stefanski was a top coaching candidate in 2020. He was a guiding force in leading Kirk Cousins (who is now with Atlanta) to having one of the best seasons of his career. Even with successful quarterbacks, Stefanski is known to hang his hat on the running game. The Browns were top 5 in rushing yards per game for 3 years. Also known for acquiring and developing talent. He successfully schemes to keep defenses on their toes. He has been an offensive guru his whole career.
Falcons seem to have prioritized experience over taking a chance on (currently) successful up and comers. This was the first second meeting the Falcons had with any candidates. This was live, a dinner with Owner, Arthur Blank, CEO and President of the Atlanta Falcons, Greg Beadles, Vice President, Executive Strategy of Arthur M. Blank Sports and Entertainment, Josh Blank, and President of Football, Matt Ryan. Clearly Stefanski’s vision and plans for the Falcons is in alignment with Blank and Ryan’s visions. The introductory press conference will take place on the 27th of January, hopefully we will find out more at that time about plans and direction. Stefanski seems to be flexible and willing to accept input and adjust as needed through the season as things come up and change.
Stefanski knows that the people he puts around him are as important as he is. At this time, the Falcons have announced the retention of Jeff Ulbrich as the Defensive Coordinator and added Bill Callahan as the Offensive Line Coach.
I feel like the most important roles now are Quarterback Coach and General Manager. The QB coach either needs to get Michael Penix, Jr. healed up and performing better or prepare whoever the 2026 Falcons’ QB is. And the GM, work within the budget to fill spots opened by Free Agency….and of course, scouting out and preparing for the NFL Draft in April.
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