Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski is set to interview with the Browns Thursday.
The end is near. The Cleveland Browns search for a head coach that is. Kevin Stefanski will interview with the team Thursday. Stefanski is the the second to last interview the team will conduct. Josh McDaniels will interview Friday with a decision coming Saturday. At least that is what the team is planning.
Kevin Stefanski has been in Minnesota since 2006. Stefanski was elevated to the role of offensive coordinator last season after the Vikings dismissed John DeFilippo. Stefanski’s presence has been a positive for the team. Kirk Cousins is resembling at worst an average quarterback. At his best, slightly above average. Although his overall performance is up for debate.
Stefanski employs a zone run scheme with play action passes mixed in. Sounds perfect for Baker Mayfield. The problem? Gary Kubiak is an advisor to Stefanski which leads to a question. Who deserves the credit here, Stefanski or Kubiak? If it is Kubiak and not Stefanski that has more of an impact not the Vikings success, it is an easy decision to look elsewhere.
The Stefanski-DePodesta connection
Browns chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta actually recommended Kevin Stefanski for the head coaching job last season. A job which ended up going to the ill-prepared Freddie Kitchens. Although, Stefanski did not have a edge regarding time as an offensive coordinator over Kitchens. Either Stefanski or Kitchens would have had less than a year as an offensive coordinator. Deciding to go with a familiar face may have been the tiebreaker for ownership.
DePodesta is a big fan of Stefanski. When it comes to the hiring process, it has to be about who is the best man for the job. It is not being overlooked in previously. DePodesta is a smart individual and should be able to help decide who is best fit for the job. Recommending Stefanski as a victory lap does not seem to be a motive for DePodesta. Whether or not Jimmy Haslam listens to anything DePodesta says this time around may be a different story.
I would try to get either Lincoln Riley or Urban Meyer from the coll. Ranks. I think either could turn this team around.