Once, when the Cleveland Browns unexpectedly made it to the postseason, Kevin Stefanski was awarded the Coach of the Year Award.
His 2020 campaign resembled DeMeco Ryans’ work for the Houston Texans this season in many ways.
But if Ryans is going to earn honors for his rookie performance, he’s going to have to get past Stefanski.
Cleveland withstood an onslaught of injuries and started 5 quarterbacks on their way to another postseason.
And NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk is the first organization to give Stefanski the nod over Ryans for their resilience.
Stefanski persuaded his group to concentrate on winning one game at a time, putting aside outside factors.
With the players there, every player easily reiterates the motto of going 1-0 every week.
With five starting quarterbacks, Cleveland became the first NFL club to make it to the postseason.
An NFL record four of those passers were credited with drives that won the game.
The most difficult challenge for Stefanski, though, was getting over losing Nick Chubb, the quarterback and the center of his offense.
For the first time in his tenure, the coach doesn’t have a rusher with 1,000 yards.
After Chubb was injured in Week 2, he received significant yards and touches from Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt.
Following that injury in the first half, Browns supporters may have thought their season was over while observing their offensive.
But to make the most of those who were standing, Stefanski rallied his forces and made quick modifications.
The hiring of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is another move that PFT’s writers attribute to Stefanski.
In addition to building a strong defense, Schwartz was named PFT’s Assistant Coach of the Year.
