He converted Will and Gabe. If Kevin Stefanski wins an award for anything during the 2020 NFL season challenged by COVID-19, it may be nothing more: turning his 11- and 9-year-old sons into an avid Cleveland Browns fan.

Then again, the boys just need to look up and see why their father is. Stefanski has worked for the Eagles, graduated from St. Joe’s University preparatory and the University of Pennsylvania, and is widely favored by the Browns nationwide.

We are talking about a kid who grew up in Drexel Hills, Delaware County. He is a fan of the Eagles. He would pester his mother wearing a white T-shirt and engraving on No. 92 because he is Reggie White’s super fan.

Now, he is leading the Browns to victory over the Eagles and other NFL teams.

In his first year as the NFL head coach, all Stefansky did was to lead the once low-ranking Cleveland Browns to the playoffs for the first time in nearly two decades, and lead them to win the season for the first time in 25 years. Win the playoffs. He led the Browns to finish the game with a score of 11-5, 5 games better than their last season, and is the best record since 1994, when another coach who coached for the first time was Bill Belichick’s Landed in name and dazzled the Cleveland area.

Most importantly, Stefansky became the first coach in the Philadelphia area to win the NFL Coach of the Year award.Ironically, he defeated Another coach with strong Philadelphia pedigree Head coach Sean McDermott at LaSalle High School and the Buffalo Bills.

But to be honest, Stefanski doesn’t want to hear any honor he has won and deserved after the 2020 season. According to Stefansky, if the Browns’ success last year has little to do with him.

His roots and humility stem from the Philadelphia basketball community. Stefanski is firmly rooted in the community as the son of Ed “The Shot” Stefanski. He is a former 76ers executive and currently serves as a consultant for the Detroit Pistons.

“In the past year, I have learned a lot, but with the pandemic, I really hope to learn a lot every season,” Stefansky told Philadelphia in a recent interview ll. “This is the goal of continuous growth as a coach and as a person. I think after my first year, I definitely know that I can’t do this by myself.

“Every day, many people ask me to participate in our plans and guide our players. If I try to do this myself, I will be distracted and unable to complete the work we need to complete. I like to create a collaborative environment, We have developed this in the Browns.

“I think I’m lucky to work with some really amazing men and women.”

Stefanski said that he learns as he learns, just like the first time you do anything.

“You don’t know until you do it, so the experience I have experienced will make me a better coach and move on in the second year,” Stefanski said.

Ken Blaze/USA Today Sports

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefansky talks with quarterback Baker Mayfield.

The Browns players like Stefanski’s balance-he won’t get too high because of success; he won’t fall into unimaginable depths because of setbacks. They like his method. They like his frankness. The person they saw on Monday was the same person they saw on Tuesday. The players also like the fact that Stefanski is as responsible for himself as his players.

“I have told them many times that I want to be myself because it is easy to do it every day,” Stefanski said. “I think when the coach comes in and tries to be something they are not, the players are too smart. The easiest part for me is to show up every day and be the same person every day.

“If my players appreciate this, then I am actively working to serve them.”

Stefanski’s biggest advantage is its ability to simplify. He doesn’t like to complicate what he is doing. He trusts the people around him very much to seek opinions and suggestions. Just like Joe Judge, the head coach of the New York Giants, Another NFL head coach in the Philadelphia area, Stefanski is not afraid to hear the “no” from the assistant coach or anyone else.

“Many times, you get too much credit and have to take on too much responsibility,” Stefansky said. “I am willing to take responsibility, but because of the credit involved, it is difficult for me to accept everyone who helps me with my work.”

“I’m not even satisfied with last year. 31 teams left disappointedly after the season, and I count myself among these 31 teams,” Stefansky said. “The final defeat [a 22-17 Divisional Round playoff loss to the eventual AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs] Continue to eat me. Until you win the last game, this is how it works.

“I think this is the beauty of our profession. You are to win the last game. That’s why you do what we do. Before that, the offseason will get better. This is what this offseason is for me And our coach, and of course the meaning of our players. We just need to get better.

“We have to do more. Reaching the playoffs will never be our team’s goal. I know this, nothing can continue. The beauty of our league is that you have to prove yourself every year, every week You must prove yourself.”

Stefanski has indeed established the foundation of a successful culture. Cleveland has consistency that can be established. The 39-year-old coach does not want to listen, but he has a lot to do with this matter.

“I return to the challenge of proving this every week… I grew up in the city of Philadelphia with my dad in the basketball world, where there are challenges every day. “—Kevin Stefansky

The Browns have had five different coaches in the past five years (Mike Petin, Hugh Jackson, interim coach Greg Williams, Freddie Kitches for one season and Stefansky now). By comparison, the Eagles have one—Doug Pedersen, who guided the Eagles to the playoffs in three of the past four seasons he coached—until they fired him and hired him this winter Nick Siriani

“In 2020, I do feel that our general manager Andrew Berry and myself have indeed established a foundation,” Stefanski said. “But I do know this. Every year you have to strengthen this foundation. This is what this offseason means to me. We have built something, but we better go back and strengthen it first, and then try to build it.

“I come back to the challenge of proving this every week. There are such great teams and great coaches in this league, and the challenge is what makes me excited about this career and going forward.

“I grew up in the Philadelphia basketball world with my father in the town, where there are challenges every day. I remember going to the Speedy Morris training ground to watch Lionel Simmons play when I was a kid. I like Philadelphia. Basketball mentality, that is a moment I will never forget.”

Then, Stefansky moved on on a lazy Saturday afternoon in April, taking his sons to play on the Browns training ground wearing Browns equipment.

A little bit of loot does go a long way.

Some of the links provided in this content are created by Carefully selected, PhillyVoice.com sports betting partner, independently created by PhillyVoice. 21+ Please gamble responsibly.

Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sports writer in the Philadelphia area. He has been writing for PhillyVoice since its establishment in 2015 and is the president of the American Boxing Writers Association. He can follow on Twitter: @JSantoliquito.