The Falcons have made their move - and it’s a bold one. Kevin Stefanski is heading to Atlanta as the team’s new head coach, signing a five-year deal and stepping into a franchise that’s been searching for stability and direction after six straight losing seasons. This hire also marks the first major decision from newly appointed team president Matt Ryan, the franchise legend now tasked with reshaping the organization from the front office.
Stefanski, 43, takes over for Raheem Morris, who went 20-25 over three seasons and was not retained after the 2025 campaign. For Ryan, this is more than just a personnel move - it’s a statement. The Falcons are looking for a leader who can bring discipline, vision, and consistency, and Stefanski checks those boxes.
“We’re thrilled to land a lead-by-example leader in Kevin Stefanski,” Ryan said in a statement. “He brings a clear vision for his staff, our team, and a closely aligned focus on building this team on fundamentals, toughness, and active collaboration.”
That emphasis on collaboration and fundamentals is going to be key in Atlanta, where the Falcons are trying to rebuild a winning culture. Stefanski echoed that vision in his own statement, saying he’s “beyond thrilled” to take the reins of what he called an “iconic franchise.”
“I am grateful to Arthur Blank and Matt Ryan for trusting me to coach this football team,” Stefanski said. “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.”
Stefanski’s coaching résumé brings both promise and complexity. He went 45-56 over six seasons with the Cleveland Browns, earning NFL Coach of the Year honors twice - in 2020 and 2023 - and guiding the Browns to two playoff appearances. That’s no small feat in the rugged AFC North, where he had to navigate a gauntlet of Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati year in and year out.
But his tenure in Cleveland wasn’t without its challenges. The Browns cycled through quarterbacks like a carousel, with Baker Mayfield, Deshaun Watson, Jacoby Brissett, Joe Flacco, Jameis Winston, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders all taking snaps during Stefanski’s time. Despite the instability under center, Stefanski managed to keep the team competitive, though the offensive numbers weren’t always pretty - Cleveland ranked 29th in scoring, 24th in point differential, and 31st in offensive EPA over that six-year stretch.
Still, Stefanski’s offensive mind is well respected around the league. He rose through the ranks in Minnesota, spending 14 seasons with the Vikings and eventually earning the offensive coordinator role in 2019. That season, he helped guide Kirk Cousins and the Vikings to the playoffs with a top-10 scoring offense and one of the league’s most efficient units by expected points added.
His coaching journey in Minnesota saw him work under a variety of offensive minds - from Bill Musgrave and Norv Turner to Pat Shurmur - giving him a diverse playbook of philosophies to draw from. That experience, combined with his even-keeled demeanor, is part of what made him an attractive candidate for Atlanta.
Arthur Blank, the Falcons’ owner, made it clear that Stefanski’s leadership style and football IQ made a strong impression.
“In Kevin Stefanski, we have found a coach with the right vision, focus, and demeanor to lead our team into the future,” Blank said. “Our objective is to win games and contend for championships every year, and that is where our shared focus will remain.”
The Falcons cast a wide net in their coaching search, interviewing a mix of offensive and defensive minds. That list included Seattle OC Klint Kubiak, who worked under Stefanski in Minnesota, as well as former head coaches John Harbaugh and Mike McDaniel, and several high-profile defensive coordinators like Jeff Hafley (Packers), Jesse Minter (Chargers), Anthony Weaver (Dolphins), and Aden Durde (Seahawks).
But in the end, it was Stefanski who stood out. For Ryan, who’s stepping into his first executive role, having a head coach with experience and a steady hand was clearly a priority.
“There’s gotta be a level of presence that you have to have as a coach and the ability to command the respect of your players,” Ryan said. “It doesn’t mean you’ve gotta be the most vocal or the best interview or the best in a press conference. It just means you’ve got to be able to connect with the players that you have.”
That connection - between coach, players, and front office - will be crucial as the Falcons continue to build out their leadership team. The general manager position is still open, and the organization is showing interest in candidates like Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham and 49ers scouting director Josh Williams. Both were previously interviewed for the team president role, but Atlanta will need to request new interviews for the GM spot.
In the meantime, Stefanski gets to work. And for a team that’s been stuck in neutral for far too long, this hire signals a new direction - one built on experience, collaboration, and a clear-eyed plan to get the Falcons back to relevance.