The Atlanta Falcons have hired Kevin Stefanski as their new coach, the team announced Saturday night.
Stefanski, 43, went 45-56 in six seasons with the Cleveland Browns before he was fired less than two weeks ago after going 8-26 in the past two seasons. He took Cleveland to the playoffs twice, in 2020 and 2023, being named NFL Coach of the Year both seasons.
He will replace Raheem Morris, whom the Falcons fired Jan. 4 following back-to-back 8-9 seasons. Atlanta has not made the playoffs in eight seasons, the second-longest drought in the NFL. The Falcons have not had a winning record since 2017.
In addition to Morris’ dismissal, the Falcons fired general manager Terry Fontenot, a position that is still vacant.
Before the searches for a coach and general manager got going, Atlanta added a new position: president of football, which has been filled by Matt Ryan, the team’s former quarterback for 14 seasons and the best player in franchise history. Ryan led the interviews for the coaching candidates.
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“We’re thrilled to land a lead-by-example leader in Kevin Stefanski who brings a clear vision for his staff, our team and a closely aligned focus on building this team on fundamentals, toughness and active collaboration with every area of the football operation,” Ryan said in a statement. “Coach Stefanski is a team-first leader who puts a premium on accountability for everyone and a player-driven culture.”
Stefanski will report to Ryan, as will the new general manager.
The Falcons also interviewed John Harbaugh, Klint Kubiak, Mike McDaniel, Anthony Weaver, Aden Durde, Jeff Hafley and Jesse Minter. Once Harbaugh was finalizing a deal this week with the New York Giants, which was announced Saturday, Atlanta quickly shifted gears. Stefanski was the first candidate brought back for a second interview, which was held Saturday at the home of team owner Arthur Blank.
He is the first Falcons head coaching hire with previous experience as an NFL head coach since Dan Reeves in 1997.
Stefanski climbed the ranks in Minnesota for 14 years with the Vikings before being hired by Cleveland in 2020. He overlapped with Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins in 2018 and 2019.
“I’m beyond thrilled to be charged with leading this iconic franchise,” Stefanski said in a statement. “I am grateful to Mr. Blank and Matt Ryan for trusting me to coach this football team and 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 inherits a roster that includes four players who were named All-Pros in 2025. Bijan Robinson was named a first-team running back and second-team all-purpose player. Tight end Kyle Pitts Sr., right guard Chris Lindstrom and safety Jessie Bates III each earned second-team honors.
But Stefanski also has to weather some uncertainty at quarterback. Shortly after signing Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal in 2024, the Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the NFL draft. Cousins lost the starting job after underperforming midway through the 2024 season. Penix finished his rookie season and opened the 2025 campaign as the starter before going down with a season-ending knee injury.
Cousins stepped in for the last nine games, leading the Falcons to a 5-4 record and four straight wins to close out the season. Penix’s recovery is expected to linger into training camp.
Stefanski has experience with quarterback uncertainty. The Browns had rotating quarterbacks throughout most of his tenure after trading former first overall pick Baker Mayfield and acquiring Deshaun Watson. Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders each made starts in 2025.
“We will get to work immediately putting together a first-class coaching staff and working hard to get to know all the great people that are so important to getting us all where we want to go,” Stefanski said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
