On the day John Harbaugh‘s Giants hire became official, another major domino in the head coaching market is set to fall. Kevin Stefanski‘s next gig has been lined up. 
Stefanski is finalizing a deal with the Falcons to become their next head coach, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Stefanski, 43, flew to Atlanta earlier today to meet with team officials. That interview has now produced an accepted offer, as confirmed by a team announcement. This is a five-year deal, per Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
“We’re thrilled to land a lead-by-example leader in Kevin Stefanski who brings a clear vision for his staff, our team and a closely aligned focus on building this team on fundamentals, toughness and active collaboration with every area of the football operation,” a statement from new president of football Matt Ryan reads.
Ryan’s hire last week represented the first major piece of business for Atlanta. It recently become known the team’s preference was to hire a new head coach before filling the only current general manager vacancy in the NFL. Today’s news thus comes as no surprise. Likewise, the fact Stefanski is set to take charge of the Falcons fits with several reports leading up to his agreement.
At the time of his Browns firing, Stefanski loomed as the top HC candidate on the market. Shortly thereafter, Harbaugh’s dismissal changed the pecking order amongst available staffers. There was a widespread expectation Harbaugh would be the first candidate to take one of the nine available positions in this year’s cycle, with Stefanski soon to follow. In particular, the Giants and Falcons were named as frontrunners in Harbaugh’s case. Stefanski, meanwhile, was seen as Plan B for both teams. Shortly after learning Harbaugh would not be an option, Atlanta’s attention clearly shifted back to Stefanski.
Earlier today, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported Stefanski would be open to retaining Jeff Ulbrich as the Falcons’ defensive coordinator. WFAA’s Ed Werder confirms Ulbrich – who was blocked from interviewing with the Cowboys for their DC opening – is expected to remain in place. Meanwhile, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com notes former Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees is a strong candidate to follow Stefanski to his new home.
As part of a lengthy stint with the Vikings, Stefanski spent one season as the team’s OC. That year cemented his status as one of the top head coaching candidates at the time, and his first HC opportunity came in Cleveland. The Browns won double-digit games twice during his tenure (2020 and ’23). On both occasions, Stefanski took home Coach of the Year honors.
The high points of Stefanski’s Cleveland stint brought about a pair of playoff berths but otherwise it resulted in four losing seasons. Since the start of the 2024 campaign, the Browns have won just eight games. Overall, Stefanski’s six seasons produced a record of 45-56. The Falcons will hope to provide him with a stable QB situation (although with Michael Penix Jr.‘s injury situation, that may prove difficult). In any case, a strong offensive line and a skill-position group headlined by running back Bijan Robinson and receiver Drake London awaits Stefanski.
After Arthur Smith guided them to three consecutive 7-10 seasons, the Falcons made a change on the sidelines. A reunion with Raheem Morris took place during the 2024 hiring cycle. His first year back in Atlanta ended with a finish of 8-9 and extended the team’s playoff drought. Expectations were higher for this season, one which ended on a four-game winning streak to yield another 8-9 mark. Owner Arthur Blank acted quickly once the campaign was over, firing Morris along with GM Terry Fontenot and embarking on the restructuring which has landed Ryan in a position of considerable power.
Stefanski was among the Titans’ HC finalists and was scheduled to conduct a second interview with Tennessee tomorrow. He was also a strong candidate to speak with the Ravens for their vacancy a second time. Those arrangements are now moot, while two of the NFL’s head coaching vacancies have been filled.
Not sure exactly what the path forward looks like for the Falcons, but I think it’s a good hire. I think he’s a very good coach if you don’t saddle him with the single worst transaction in NFL history.
Should have gotten Minter. We will see if he can develop Penix or Cousins?
Cousins will be cut
Develop Cousins?! Did we time travel back to 2014?
Develop 38-year old Cousins? That cake is fully baked.
Minter is a great coaching prospect, but there are plenty of good DCs around, including Ulbrich, who’s still in Atlanta for the time being.
Congratulations they got a hell of a coach.
Wondering how Falcons fans feel about this ?
As a falcons fan, its a good hire. Do I feel like there were better options, yes.(minter, either Rams coordinators). Stefanski last season was rough but hey what can you do with a 72 year old flacco, all about himself sanders and a tiny million Gabriel. Pretty much had to rely on all rookies
He was also dealt a crappy hand by ownership trading a billion 1st round picks for a QB who was a shell of himself after sitting out and dealing with the repercussions of being a horrible person and letting the better QB go. Constant turnover is not a recipe for success. He’s a 2x coach of the year for a reason.
Thank you. As a die hard Browns fan, he got screwed by management.
Falcons fan(lol duh my name) I love this hire he was my number 2 guy behind only Harbaugh. Yall don understand he uplifted that franchise with spare parts. Two time coach of the year.
And the Falcons aren’t that far off. I think given the autonomy, he will solve QB, whether that’s Penix or an outside piece. The division is for the taking.
As a Browns fan, I agree on the spare parts. It was time for him to leave Cleveland though and he was obviously burnt out. I’m glad he moved on and I think he will love working with London, Penix, and Bijan.
I would be really concerned about hiring a worse coach, though.
Going to need a QB soon
Falcons got themselves a darn good coach.
Agree😊
Matt Ryan will develop Kirk Cousins
as his replacement at CBS!
I really like this hire he was my top 4 hire prospects next to Harbaugh, Kubiak, & Joe Brady.
Imo Joe brady needs a strong arm QB to run his offense. Penix and cousins are not that. And kubiak- idk just don’t like his play calling watching a lot of seahawks games
I would trade penix to rams or maybe steelers for a 3rd that could turn into a 2nd. Penix would be good to recover and learn under Stafford for a year. And then get Willis, fields or Lance in free agency or trade a late pick for Mac Jones.
Penix will already be 26 heading into next season and the league has seen enough tape to know he sucks. Nobody is trading a 3rd round pick for him
They could easily get a 3rd round pick for Penix. But Atlanta would NEVER trade him for a 3rd rounder.
Good hire. Lets see what he can actually do with an offense that has multiple stars.
Kubiak has called a great game today. Seahawks are about to pull away …
Looking like it could be Rams Seahawks Pt 3 next week
Stephanski is supposed to be an offensive genius?! He had major problems with game management and offensive play calling. Gave up play calling two years in a row! Sad hire for the Falcons!
Falcons needed to hire an experienced HC as they have been hiring coordinators since Dan Reaves left. I am happy with this hire
45-56 Yep, He’s a Falcons Head Coach !!
Solid hire by the falcons. Browns blew it by canning him. But then again that’s the browns. Dumpster fire franchises will never learn