CLEVELAND (AP) — For the second straight year, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski has made a major offseason change to his staff.
Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt has parted ways with the team, leaving just days after Cleveland was blown out in the wild-card round by Houston and following a season in which the Browns were ravaged by injuries.
A team spokesman confirmed Wednesday that Van Pelt is no longer with the Browns. Also, Stefanski fired running backs coach Stump Mitchell and tight ends coach T.C. McCartney was not retained after his contract expired.
The shakeup might not be over as the Browns continue to hold staff evaluations.
They’ve quickly moved on from Mitchell and are interviewing Duce Staley to be his replacement. The 48-year-old Staley was most recently an assistant head coach and running backs coach with Carolina before being fired.
Following a 7-10 season in 2022, Stefanski fired defensive coordinator Joe Woods and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer. Those moves led to the hiring of Jim Schwartz, who turned Cleveland’s defense into one of the NFL’s best this season, and Bubba Ventrone, who dramatically improved special teams.
In a surprising move, the Cleveland Browns have announced major changes to their coaching staff, signaling a shift in strategy following a disappointing end to the season. Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt has parted ways with the team, adding to a series of offseason adjustments initiated by head coach Kevin Stefanski.
The departure of Van Pelt comes on the heels of Cleveland’s wild-card round defeat against the Houston Texans, a game that exposed significant weaknesses in the Browns’ offensive game plan. With injuries plaguing the team throughout the season, Stefanski and his staff faced mounting pressure to deliver results, ultimately leading to the decision to part ways with Van Pelt.
In addition to Van Pelt’s exit, the Browns have also made changes to their coaching staff in other key positions. Running backs coach Stump Mitchell has been relieved of his duties, while tight ends coach T.C. McCartney’s contract has not been renewed.
But the Browns’ coaching shakeup doesn’t end there. As Stefanski and his team continue to evaluate their staff, they’ve wasted no time in searching for replacements. Among the candidates being considered to fill the vacancy left by Mitchell is Duce Staley, a seasoned coach with a wealth of experience in the league.
Staley, 48, previously served as an assistant head coach and running backs coach with the Carolina Panthers before being let go. His impressive resume and proven track record make him a compelling candidate for the Browns’ coaching staff, and his addition could bring a fresh perspective to the team’s offensive strategy.
The latest coaching changes come on the heels of a tumultuous season for the Browns, who finished with a record of 7-10 in 2022. Following the disappointing campaign, Stefanski made sweeping changes to the defensive and special teams coaching staff, a decision that paid dividends as Cleveland’s defense emerged as one of the NFL’s best under the leadership of Jim Schwartz.
As the Browns look ahead to the offseason, Stefanski remains committed to building a coaching staff capable of guiding the team to success. With Van Pelt out and Staley potentially on deck, Cleveland fans are eager to see how these changes will shape the team’s trajectory in the coming season.
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