ATLANTA — Two-time Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year, Kevin Stefanski, has been named head coach of the Atlanta Falcons after meeting with Falcons leadership, including owner and chairman, Arthur M. Blank, tonight in Atlanta.
Stefanski comes to Atlanta after previously serving as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns and a long tenure as an assistant with the Minnesota Vikings. Stefanski, 43, succeeds Raheem Morris who was not retained following the 2025 season. He becomes the 20th head coach in Falcons history and will report to the team’s president of football, Matt Ryan.
“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,” said Ryan. “Coach Stefanski is a team-first leader who puts a premium on accountability for everyone and a player-driven culture. His experience in Cleveland and Minnesota has given him a great understanding of the importance of working in sync with scouting, personnel and the rest of the football staff to maximize talent across the roster and in doing everything possible to put our players in the best position to succeed. Kevin’s style of leadership, combined with the staff and infrastructure in place here in Atlanta, gives us confidence in our shared vision for the team and we are excited to have him as the leader of our football team.”
Stefanski was named AP Coach of the Year in 2020 after leading the Browns to the playoffs for the first time since 2002 and their first playoff win since 1994 with an 11-5 record, their best since 1994, and again in 2023 when the Browns made the playoffs and finished 11-6. The Browns have made the playoffs three times since moving back to Cleveland with two of the three coming with Stefanski at the helm. During his tenure, his teams consistently were one of the league’s best rushing units with three top-six finishes in average rush yards per game. His overall record in Cleveland was 45-56.
“I’m beyond thrilled to be charged with leading this iconic franchise,” said Stefanski. “I am grateful to Mr. Blank and Matt Ryan for trusting me to coach this football team and there are many talented players on our roster that I cannot wait to coach. We share a vision for this football team that I believe will make Falcons fans everywhere proud. We will get to work immediately putting together a first-class coaching staff and working hard to get to know all the great people that are so important to getting us all where we want to go.”
Prior to his time in Cleveland, Stefanski spent 14 years on the staff at Minnesota, rising from assistant to the head coach to offensive coordinator during that span, working under Brad Childress, Leslie Frazier and Mike Zimmer.
Before entering coaching, Stefanski played defensive back at the University of Pennsylvania from 2000-04 where he was honored as a two-time All-Ivy League pick and the Quakers’ Freshman of the Year.
Stefanski and his wife Michelle are both Philadelphia natives and they have three children, Juliette, Will and Gabe.
Arthur M. Blank on Kevin Stefanski: “In Kevin Stefanski, we have found a coach with the right vision, focus and demeanor to lead our team into the future. From all our research and a wonderful visit with him tonight, I believe he is the right coach to take the talent on our roster to a new level and to work with Matt, our new GM and all our football personnel to build on the strong foundation in place and take it to new heights. He has a great plan for his staff, and he’s learned many things during his stops in Cleveland and Minnesota that have prepared him for this moment. Our objective is to win games and contend for championships every year and that is where our shared focus will remain. We are committed to putting all necessary support and resources around Coach Stefanski to achieve that success and the work has already begun.”
