The Cleveland Browns are searching for their next head coach after firing Kevin Stefanski. Here are three coaching candidates.
Browns Fire HC Kevin Stefanski
Thank you, Kevin, for all your dedication and relentless effort for this organization. We appreciate everything you have contributed to this team and will look back fondly on the memorable moments we shared. pic.twitter.com/lsQSejYiG2
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 5, 2026
The Browns made a coaching change following the win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
The Browns fired Stefanski after six seasons. During his tenure, Stefanski led the Browns to two 11-win seasons and two playoff appearances.
In 2020, the Browns won their first playoff game since the 1994 season. The Browns defeated the Steelers in the Wild Card round before falling to the Chiefs over the Divisional Weekend.
Stefanski won the AP NFL Coach of the Year twice (2020, 2023) during his tenure.
“We have tremendous gratitude for Kevin’s leadership of the Cleveland Browns over the last six seasons,” Managing and Principal Partners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a statement. “He is a good football coach and an even better person. We appreciate all his hard work and dedication to our organization, but our results over the last two seasons have not been satisfactory, and we believe a change at the head coaching position is necessary. We wish Kevin, Michelle and the Stefanski family all the best in the future.
Stefanski’s time in Cleveland turned sour after the Deshaun Watson trade set the franchise back. The Browns finished the 2025 campaign with a 5-12 record.
Stefanski finished with a record of 45-56 over six seasons.
General manager Andrew Berry will now lead the search for the team’s next head coach.
3 Head Coaches The Browns Should Hire
Mike McCarthy
Say what you want about Mike McCarthy, but he gets the best out of his quarterbacks, and he wins games.
In Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers won two MVPs and one Super Bowl with McCarthy at the helm. In Dallas, Dak Prescott was an All-Pro quarterback who registered some of his most productive seasons with McCarthy.
McCarthy has five losing seasons in 18 years as a head coach.
Cleveland has a litany of questions at quarterback. Who knows if Watson, Shedeur Sanders, or Dillon Gabriel will take snaps for the Browns in 2026?
McCarthy could be the stability a team like Cleveland needs to nurture its young roster.
Joe Brady
Cleveland Browns’ ownership has stated its intention to keep Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator for the 2026 season. The Browns’ defense allowed the fourth fewest yards in 2025 (283.6 yards per game).
If Schwartz is retained, the Browns could opt to pair him with a young, offensive-minded head coach.
Offensive coordinator Joe Brady has been excellent with the Buffalo Bills. Brady called plays for Josh Allen during his MVP campaign of 2024.
It’s only a matter of time before Brady gets a top coaching opportunity. Perhaps Cleveland takes the first shot at Brady.
Klint Kubiak
Sticking with the idea of retaining Schwartz, Klint Kubiak is another young offensive name to keep an eye on.
Kubiak is behind Seattle’s top-10-rated offense. Sam Darnold has played like a franchise quarterback for the Seahawks, who are 14-3 and the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Kubiak has coaching in his blood. His father, Gary Kubiak, won Super Bowl 50 as the head coach of the Denver Broncos.
