The Atlanta Falcons formally introduced new head coach Kevin Stefanski at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback and current President of Football, Matt Ryan, began the press conference by thanking the search committee. “We’re excited about the process and the progress,” Ryan said. He was complimentary of Stefanski during the interview process.
“Kevin separated himself,” Stefanski said. “He’s an excellent communicator. He’s clear, concise, and concrete.”
Stefanski comes to Atlanta with six seasons of head coaching experience, all with the Cleveland Browns. A native of Philadelphia, Stefanski, 43, had two 11-win seasons with the Browns. He also coached the team through four losing seasons, including a 5-12 record in 2025.
“I cannot wait to be in this building and feel this place shaking,” Stefanski said. “Atlanta is where I wanted to be.”
The Browns had quarterback issues this past season, and the Falcons will too if the position isn’t solidified during the offseason. Stefanski worked with a number of young quarterbacks during his decades-long NFL coaching career and as a head coach in Cleveland. He said he was looking forward to working with the team’s players. One of those players is current Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.
“We want to be an intentional group when it comes to developing players,” said Stefanski.
Stefanski also added that new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees will be responsible for calling plays. “I have the utmost confidence in Tommy,” he said.
Rees, a former Notre Dame quarterback, spent the 2025 season as the Browns’ offensive coordinator. At 33 years old, it was Rees’s first season as an offensive coordinator.
Stefanski said he’s learned from all his seasons as an NFL coach, and the club will get the best version of himself. “I wouldn’t change anything about the past,” he said.
The Falcons are retaining defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, and Stefanski credited Ulbrich with doing a good job with the defensive unit last season. He said Falcons rookies Jalen Walker and James Pearce, Jr. are “very, very talented young men” and having them will continue to create matchup issues for opponents.