Citing “a person familiar with the decision,” the Associated Press is reporting that the Cleveland Browns will hire Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach.
The sides have yet to finalize a contract, but an official announcement is expected to be made on Monday (Jan. 13). Stefanski, 37, will replace Freddie Kitchens, who was fired by the Browns on Dec. 29 after a disappointing 6-10 season. Stefanski reportedly accepted the position one day after the Vikings’ 27-10 playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
It seems as though the second time’s the charm for Stefanski and the Browns: he nearly was selected to be the team’s head coach last year, finishing as a runner-up for the job when Kitchens was promoted from interim offensive coordinator instead.
The Browns interviewed eight candidates for the job this time around, including 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman, Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, and Mike McCarthy, who was later hired by the Dallas Cowboys.
According to the Associated Press, McDaniels and Saleh were the other two finalists.
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