Let the ass slapping commence
The last head coaching position in the NFL was filled out of headquarters in Berea, home of the troublesome Cleveland Browns. An outpost, most tendered coaches avoid, due to its constant turnover. Owners, Dee and Jimmy Haslam, pulled the trigger on offensive coordinator, Kevin Stefanski, of the Vikings, after doing their due diligence, to lead this group of stars into battle on the gridiron. This will be the Haslam’s 5th hire since taking over the franchise in 2012.
Stefanski has been with the Minnesota Vikings since 2006 in some capacity, 7 job titles. He worked under 3 coaching staffs with the purple and gold, all retained his services. There’s something to be said about that! So who is Kevin Stefanski?
Kevin was a DB for the Penn Quakers football team from 2000-2004 and named Penn’s defensive rookie of year in 2000. The team went undefeated in his senior season, and he was a two time Honorable All- Ivy League Mention in year 2002 and 2004, some Quaker. His father, Ed Stefanski, is currently a front office executive for the Detroit Pistons. While in Minnesota, Kevin worked with Favre, Keenum, Jackson, Cousins, Kubiak, Childress, Zimmer, and AP. His resume and circles are impressive for a 37yr old but can he handle the meat grinder that is the Cleveland Browns?
First order of business, dealing with the
personalities, which was thrust into his atmosphere after LSU won the National
Championship Monday. OBJ was caught on
video slapping a security guard on the ass, “Come on daddy,” after the win, in
the locker room. Apparently, the guard
was being intrusive due to the cigar smoking from some players. I guess with the new age requirement for tobacco,
21, the guard felt the need to enforce the law, not like it was a once in a
life time event and a pass would be deserved.
None the less, an arrest warrant for battery was issued for Beckham.
Overcoming the challenge of earning the players respect, wanting them to play hard for him, and each other, will be the common dominators in 2020. Stefanski, a young man, hopefully will not fall into the trap Kitchens did, big brother. Kevin is known for starting Friday’s meetings off with Chappelle or SNL clips to set the mood. I enjoyed reading this, but more importantly I heard, “He’s a great leader,” wide receiver Adam Thielen said, “I think Kevin’s got a brilliant future,” Kubiak said, “Kevin is a smart young coach with a bright future,” said Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, and Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said. “Kevin has no ego whatsoever.” It showed in his first words to media, Stefanski referenced a quote from former President Harry S. Truman: “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”
Stefanski continued, “To use basketball terms so that my dad can understand this, I want to be the point guard for this organization,” “I want to bring the ball up, but then I want to share the basketball with someone else to get an easy bucket.” Good move reaching the wine and gold fan base communicating his vision through our emotional resonance of glory days, in The Land. The mistake by the lake, has had its troubles bringing a Super Bowl to the North Coast, but Kevin says he is “undeterred and undaunted” from the ghosts, that are the drive and the fumble most notably.
Still, so much more still has to fall in place before we can get excited. For starters, how about a GM, offensive, and defensive coordinators, to lock down the next 3 years at minimum, please. The power seems to lie in Browns chief strategy officer, Paul DePodesta, he wanted Kevin Stefanski last year. DePodesta, was played by Jonah Hill in Moneyball.
The news will keep coming in weeks ahead as we approach Championship Sunday, hoping that light with shine through the grey that is Cleveland and bring us to a 10-6 season, with playoffs in 2020.
