My thoughts on everything that was the Browns’ coaching search

The Cleveland Browns have their new head coach. The Browns made it official on Monday with the announcement of Kevin Stefanski as the new head coach. Stefanski was the Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator this past season. There was a lot of intrigue, talk and other things surrounding the Browns’ shift in coaching and front office. Here are my thoughts on everything that surrounds this search and decision.

• As I stated in my piece at the beginning of the coaching search, I had one requirement for this whole organization: fix the organizational structure. I was tired of the multiple fractures we have had within the organization that had almost competing views on things. They never seemed to agree and it just led to too much in-fighting.
• I think with the hire of Kevin Stefanski and the plan of hiring a general manager that fits with Stefanski, the Browns are fixing the organizational structure so that there will be only one singular plan, focus and direction. Stefanski will work well with the analytical department of Paul DePodesta. This department looks to finally be a part of the organization and not a forgotten wing that was left unused. This will be the first time under owner Jimmy Haslam that the Browns will have a head coach and general manager walking in concert while utilizing all the resources within the organization.
• Now let’s get to the scary analytics that has many up in arms. First off, analytics is another tool in the tool belt. It gives you context. The franchise will be utilizing analytics in everything they do to aid their decision making. Many of the best teams in the NFL, like the Ravens and Eagles, heavily utilize analytics.
• In talent evaluation, analytics can help you set standards and it gives you context for a decision. It will help you narrow down the field of choices, but it isn’t meant to make the decisions. It is an aid to make the choices easier. It is a tool to help you make the right decisions.
• The report from 92.3’s Dustin Fox that the Browns will have an analytics person with a headset helping the coaching staff throughout the game is a great thing. The Ravens have the same setup. We complained all of last season about Freddie Kitchens’ horrible play calling and decision-making during games. Well, this analytics person will be helping Stefanski make better and more sound choices. Whether it’s going for it on 4th-and-1 or punting, this extra person will be able to aid the new head coach with the decision making throughout the game, leading to more sound choices. Why is that bad?
• The other part of that report from Fox is that the team will incorporate the analytics department into the gameplan construction. Once again, this is done by the Ravens, too. Another helpful aid to finding any sort of advantage should be the route every team thrives to go towards. This is another good thing for the team.
• So, can we all just stop treating analytics like the boogeyman and treat it like what it is supposed to be: a helpful tool to help get the Browns more advantages in every function of the franchise.
• While we are onto some of these hysterical reports, please keep in mind one thing. Look at who this is coming from and also look at where these types of information dumps come from. Then, evaluate the information with that in mind.
• The inaccurate reporting throughout this whole coaching search was remarkable. The reporting drove so many to take positions that set them up to be disappointed and mad about the final decision. At the beginning of the process, we did not want Jimmy Haslam going rogue and picking his guy despite the process. It ended up with the Browns following through on their process. But, many criticized it for being a disaster, long-winded search that was all derived by the mastermind of Paul DePodesta. That somehow, DePodesta somehow conned Haslam into making his choice. [Insert evil laugh] But, this is what we all wanted at the beginning of the process. A well-thought-out, expansive search that didn’t end up with a kneejerk choice by the owner. But, the (mostly wrong) reports of how the coaching search was transpiring or heading caused people to forget their initial thoughts and take their stand at a certain position, leading to disappointment. This was not a joke or a façade of search. The Browns scoured the field to find the choice they thought was best.
• Now, let’s get to the actual choice of Kevin Stefanski as the head coach. As I stated in the piece prior to the search, I am not going to even try to guess if this was the right choice. No one knows if he is the right choice. NO ONE. Even if they try to tell you they know, they don’t.
• But, I can say that I like the fit Stefanski has with the current roster for the Browns. Stefanski runs a zone-blocking offense that utilizes heavy play-action and two tight end sets that all lead to easing the stress on the quarterback. That is exactly what quarterback Baker Mayfield needed after suffering through a season where the offense did absolutely nothing easy for him. Mayfield loves utilizing the middle of the field and tight ends. Stefanski’s offense will do just that. The play-action will allow Mayfield to lessen the pressure on the young quarterback as he tries to rebound from a rough second season. Stefanski also likes to take shots throughout the game, which is what Mayfield also likes to do. I really like this combination.
• Nick Chubb will absolutely love this zone blocking scheme that Stefanski implements. Chubb excelled in the outside zone runs and that is a huge part of Stefanski’s offense. Chubb is great at reading the holes and hitting them with great explosion. Joel Bitonio and J.C. Tretter also fit perfectly in a zone blocking run game given their athleticism.
• The things we don’t know yet are how Stefanski will be able to lead the team set standards for them. This is where Kitchens completely failed. It is one of the biggest things a coach must do and many do not talk about it. It is hard to project this part of a coach. Time will tell if he has it. There have been glowing remarks from Vikings players regarding this aspect, but as the head man, this aspect goes up ten-fold in importance and difficulty.
• I am really interested to see who Stefanski brings in for his offensive and defensive coordinators. I would love to get Wade Phillips as the defensive coordinator. His success in this position, along with his head coaching experience would be great for this team. On offense, I would love to get Mike McDaniel from the 49ers as the offensive coordinator. His work with the 49ers run game has been remarkable. But, whoever fills these spots will be important to the success of Stefanski.
• One last thing. Please Browns fans, do not make your prognostications based on this upcoming opening press conference. We have seen so many coaches win the press conference. The only thing that matters is winning on the field. Wins only matter.