With Kevin Stefanski Fired, Who is Favored to be the Next Head Coach for Cleveland in 2026? Who Should Replace Kevin Stefanski in 2026?
Full Story on Stefanski Being Fired as Cleveland’s Head Coach
The Browns have improved their win totals by two games compared to last season. In fact, DE Miles Garrett recently set the league’s all-time single season sacks record with 23.0. But despite winning more games than last year, the team still failed to qualify for the playoffs. Following Sunday’s season finale victory vs. Cincinnati Bengals, the 5-12 Browns fired Kevin Stefanski after six seasons as head coach. He became the franchise’s longest tenured coach since Bill Belichick from 1991 until 1995. In other news, Cleveland announced that General Manager Andrew Berry will remain in his role for 2026.
The Browns have now missed the playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time since 2021-2022. The boys from Northeast Ohio have not accomplished a winning record in consecutive seasons since 1985-1989. Perhaps their biggest win of the 2025 season came on September 21, where they pulled off an upset against postseason contender Green Bay Packers 13-10.
Over the past several years, the football squad drafted some first round prospects such as DT Mason Graham (Michigan, 2025), CB Greg Newsome II (Northwestern, 2021), OT Jaedrick Wills (Alabama, 2020), and RB Nick Chubb (Georgia, 2018). Cleveland becomes the sixth NFL team to change head coaches this season along with Jonathan Gannon (Cardinals), Brian Daboll (Giants), Brian Callahan (Titans), Raheem Morris (Falcons), and Pete Carroll (Raiders).
Kevin Stefanski’s Career with the Cleveland Browns
Stefanski took over as the leading man in Georgia in 2024 after the dismissal of Freddie Kitchens. The former helped the Browns snap their 18-year playoff drought in 2020 and win their first postseason game since 1994. He also took Cleveland to another playoff berth in 2023 under veteran quarterback Joe Flacco. The team is seeking its first AFC Championship Game appearance since losing to Denver in 1989. Most importantly, the football squad wants to win the NFL championship for the first time since the pre-Super Bowl era in 1964. Overall, Stefanski compiled a 45-56 record and 1-2 in the postseason.
Before becoming the Browns’ head coach, Stefanski served as the offensive coordinator for the Vikings from 2018 until 2020. He also held the following positions on Minnesota’s coaching staff: quarterbacks (2017-2018), running backs (2016), tight ends (2014-2015), and assistant quarterbacks (2009-2013). Stefanski led the Vikings to two NFC Championship berths in 2009 and 2017, losing both to the Saints and Eagles (respectively).
What’s Next for the Cleveland Browns?
Many Browns football fans might wonder: Who is the leading candidate to replace Kevin Stefanski in 2026? The top coaches in consideration listed in this article have prior coaching experience. In addition, those candidates have been on the coaching staff for at least five years. Please refer to the information below for the list of top candidates to replace Stefanski as Cleveland Browns Head Coach!
Possible Candidates to Replace Kevin Stefanski as Cleveland HC
Internal Candidates
Jim Schwartz-Cleveland Browns
- Titans Defensive Coordinator (2001-2008)
- Lions Head Coach (2009-2013)
- Bills Defensive Coordinator (2014)
- Eagles Defensive Coordinator (2016-2020)
- Titans Defense Assistant (2021-2022)
- Browns Defensive Coordinator (2023-Present)
- Won Super Bowl LII with Philadelphia in 2017
- Also Took Detroit to Playoff Berth in 2011
Top Head Coach Candidates for Cleveland Browns to Consider
Brian Flores-Minnesota Vikings
- Patriots Defense Assistant (2008-2011)
- New England Safeties Coach (2012-2015)
- Patriots DC (2016-2018)
- Dolphins HC (2019-2021)
- Steelers LB Coach (2022)
- Vikings DC (2023-Present)
- Won 4 Super Bowl Titles with New England
- Also Guided Minnesota to Postseason in 2024
Mike LaFleur-Los Angeles Rams
- Browns Offense Intern (2014)
- Falcons Offensive Assistant (2015-2016)
- 49ers Pass Game Coordinator (2017-2020)
- Jets Offensive Coordinator (2021-2022)
- Rams Offensive Coordinator (2023-Present)
- Led Los Angeles to #5 Seed in the NFC Conference in 2025
- Took San Francisco to Super Bowl in Early 2020
- Also Guided Atlanta to Super Bowl in Early 2017
Jesse Minter-Los Angeles Chargers
- Indiana State LB Coach (2009-2010)
- Indiana State Defensive Coordinator (2011-2012)
- Georgia State DC (2013-2016)
- Ravens Defense Coach (2017-2018)
- Ravens DB Coach (2019-2020)
- Vanderbilt DC (2021)
- Michigan DC (2022-2023)
- Chargers DC (2024-Present)
- Guided Los Angeles to #7 Seed in the AFC Conference in 2025
- Won National Championship with Wolverines in 2023
Klint Kubiak-Seattle Seahawks
- Kansas WR Coach (2015)
- Broncos Offense Coach (2016-2018)
- Vikings QB Coach (2019-2020)
- Vikings OC (2021)
- Broncos Pass Game Coordinator (2022)
- 49ers Pass Game Coordinator (2023)
- Saints OC (2024)
- Seahawks OC (2025-Present)
- Led Seattle to #1 Seed in the NFC Conference in 2025
- Coached in Super Bowl for San Francisco in 2023
Leading Candidate to Replace Kevin Stefanski as Browns HC in 2026
Joe Brady-Buffalo Bills
- William & Mary LB Coach (2013-2014)
- Penn State Graduate Assistant (2015-2016)
- Saints Offense Assistant (2017-2018)
- LSU Tigers WR Coach (2019)
- Panthers OC (2020-2021)
- Bills QB Coach (2022-2023)
- Bills OC (2024-Present)
- 2019 National Champion with LSU Tigers
- Took Buffalo to AFC Championship Game in Early 2025
- Also Guided New Orleans to NFC Championship Game in Early 2019
Other Coaching Candidates in the NFL:
Raheem Morris (Atlanta Falcons)
Brian Daboll (New York Giants)
Brian Callahan (Tennessee Titans)
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