The Atlanta Falcons are hiring Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach after an exhaustive search, according to multiple reports. A two-time NFL Coach of the Year winner, Stefanski is one of the most popular candidates in the 2026 recruiting cycle.
The Falcons hosted Stefanski for a second interview Saturday before naming him the 20th head coach in franchise history. In terms of experience, Atlanta couldn’t have done a better job with this recruitment.
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In six years as head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Stefanski led the team to a 45-56 overall record. Stefanski is a smart offensive mind who worked his way up from assistant quarterbacks coach with the Minnesota Vikings in 2009 to the team’s offensive coordinator in 2019.
A year later, Stefanski was hired by the Browns and led the team to an 11-5 record and a playoff win in his first season. Things got messy after the team traded Deshaun Watson, and Stefanski reportedly didn’t agree. After back-to-back losing seasons in 2021 and 2022, the Browns rebounded with another 11-win season in 2023.
For the Falcons, this hire is primarily about developing and maximizing the team’s offensive talent. That includes quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who is expected to be ready for the start of the 2026 NFL season.
Atlanta fired head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot after the 2025 season. Morris went 16-18 in two years as Atlanta’s head coach, going 8-9 in both seasons. While the Falcons improved in some areas under Morris, they ultimately failed to take the next step.
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The team hired Matt Ryan as president of football. Ryan hopes to work closely with the new head coach and general manager to bring the best product to the court.
Next, the Falcons must hire their next general manager.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: Kevin Stefanski named head coach