Kevin Stefanski interview for Titans coach job. What to know about former Browns coach

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Kevin Stefanski interview for Titans coach job. What to know about former Browns coach

Nick Suss, Nashville Tennessean · The Tennessean

Tue, Jan 13, 2026 ·

3 min read

Kevin Stefanski coaching resume

Stefanski's tenure in Cleveland was defined by high highs, but also by a constant thread of quarterback uncertainty that sank many promising seasons led by stingy defenses. Stefanski went 11-5 in his debut season, guiding the Browns to their first playoff appearance in nearly a decade alongside quarterback Baker Mayfield . But Mayfield's injuries the next year led to regression and a disappointing season for a Cleveland roster with high hopes. In response, the Browns moved on from Mayfield and traded for Deshaun Watson in 2022, one of the more disastrous moves in recent NFL history. Watson has only started 19 games across four seasons, owning a 9-10 record despite his record-breaking contract.

Stefanski salvaged the negativity of the Watson situation in 2023, leading the Browns to the playoffs with veteran quarterback Joe Flacco leading the way. But the anyone-can-play-quarterback approach ran dry in 2024 and 2025 when the combination of Jameis Winston , Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Bailey Zappe , Flacco, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders led to a 7-26 record.

Kevin Stefanski to Titans ? What makes sense

Even during Stefanski's best years, the Browns rarely put up eye-popping offensive numbers. His best offense ranked 14th in the NFL in yards per game and 10th in points per game. Over the last two years, the Browns have ranked 32nd and 31st in scoring.

Still, Stefanski's teams have tended to be competitive thanks to pretty strong defense and he's had a bit of a knack for hiring quality assistants ranging from coaching veterans like Bill Callahan and Jim Schwartz to on-the-rise assistants like Drew Petzing.

Titans vice president of player personnel Dan Saganey, who is on the team's search committee, worked with Stefanski in Cleveland from 2020-24.

The Titans fired Callahan in October after a 1-5 start to the 2025 season that followed a 3-14 debut year in 2024. Under interim coach Mike McCoy, the Titans finished the 2025 season with another 3-14 record and earned the No. 4 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Titans coaching search candidates, info

The Titans have announced completed head coach interviews with the following candidates:

Matt Nagy, Chiefs OC

Lou Anarumo, Colts DC

Steve Spagnuolo, Chiefs DC

Vance Joseph, Broncos DC

Kevin Stefanski, former Browns HC

Jason Garrett, former Cowboys HC

Mike McCoy, Titans interim HC

The Titans have also scheduled interviews with or requested interviews from the following candidates: Former Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, former Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris, former Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.

Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com . Follow Nick on X @nicksuss . Subscribe to the Talkin' Titans newsletter for updates sent directly to your inbox.