Kevin Stefanski And The Dixie Chicks
January 18th, 2026
Should Bucs be scared? Maybe.
Joe’s not losing sleep over this one.
So yesterday the Dixie Chicks named former Browns shot-caller Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach. Joe has one word to describe this transaction: meh.
This hire doesn’t make Joe fall to his knees and wonder about living long enough to see the Bucs win the NFC South again.
Joe understands the statgeeks love Stefanski for weird reasons. But Joe doesn’t see where this guy is some extraordinary leader of men and a savvy quarterback guru.
Stefanski’s first two years in Cleveland (2020 & 2021) had Baker Mayfield. When Mayfield wasn’t injuried, Mayfield played well. Joe would argue Mayfield later played better for Sean McVay and Todd Bowles.
In all his years in Cleveland after he let Mayfield go, with the possible exception of old man Joe Flacco, Stefanski hasn’t made a quarterback better? This guy ran through more quarterbacks than Chucky on a drunken binge. And what did Stefanski do for them?
In the NFL, it’s all about the quarterback.
Stefanski’s greatest claim to fame for Joe was hiring Jim Schwartz to run the Browns’ defense. If Stefanski lures Schwartz to Atlanta, then be afraid, Bucs fans, be very afraid.
(Yes, Joe knows there are reports that Stefanski is expected to retain current Dixie Chicks defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. Doesn’t mean he still can’t hire Schwartz and give him a fancy title and tell him to run the defense.)
But other than hiring Schwartz, what has Stefanski done that is so special? Joe struggles to answer that.
Joe doesn’t think that all of a sudden with Stefanski, the Dixie Chicks overnight become the dominant force in the division.
January 18th, 2026 at 5:07 am
2026 is RINSE AND REPEAT YEAR
Atlanta is more concerned with the Panthers.
January 18th, 2026 at 5:35 am
I’d take him in a heartbeat over Bowles.
January 18th, 2026 at 5:41 am
I don’t know much. And the older I get the more I know that I don’t know. But when I do know something I really do know something. For us Bucs fans we couldn’t have asked for a better Falcons hire. Baker was screwed to the nth by Kevin Stefanski. No lube was used. Baker will go to sleep every night thinking about the grand opportunity God has given him twice a year. It’ll probably galvanize his faith. It’s exactly the type of opportunity Baker Mayfield lives for. First thing we’ll need to do is get Baker a larger set of shoulder pads- that chip on his shoulder with Stefanski is more like a boulder. This oughta be more fun than a barrel of monkeys. And I ain’t whistling Dixie.
January 18th, 2026 at 5:49 am
This is the hope I hoped the falcons would make, this guy is exactly that “Meh” he comes from a perennial loser, so he doesn’t bring any kind of “This guy knows how to win” respect. Bonus, I really didn’t want to see Bijon in a “Shanahan” offense twice a year.
January 18th, 2026 at 5:56 am
This could be very good news for us.
Time for the Bucs to bring in powerhouse coaches and needed players. Still hoping for McDaniel as OC.
January 18th, 2026 at 6:09 am
He’s not meh in one sense.
The fire could not burn hotter for Baker playing the Falcons now.
January 18th, 2026 at 6:10 am
I would love to have someone like Mike Martz here. He’s up there in age but without a doubt one of the most interesting offensive minds of all time
January 18th, 2026 at 6:25 am
Total HOMERUN for ATL. It’s who I predicted they’d get. Best they could’ve ever hoped for. They landed THE TOP Candidate on my list (of the current NFL ex-coaches, who were available). 💯 Young ‘Offensive-Minded’ HC, who had some REAL STRONG DEFENSES, and TWO “NFL Coach of the Year” Awards under his belt! It’d take him in a HEARTBEAT, if I were ATL (or the Bucs). He’s got some mighty fine lookin’ toys to play with in ATL, too!!!! Fricken LAMBOS. They’re gonna be TOUGH.
January 18th, 2026 at 6:33 am
Wonder what the BUCS Record would have been had they been in the AFC North Division, under the Bowles-Lickt Regime!? I’m going to go way out on a limb here, and say not very good. Kinda hard to WIN in that division without a QB. Deshawn Watson was a Franchise CRIPPLING MOVE, too.
January 18th, 2026 at 6:40 am
His only problem in Cleveland was their OWNER.
January 18th, 2026 at 6:40 am
If he’s, “meh”, what’s Bowles? Seriously..
Kevin is a good coach. He had a few offensive players over the years in Cleveland. Chubb, Njoku, Jeudy and recently Judkins and Fannin. Maybe OBJ. He was hot and cold there. Watson deal killed that team. Poor GMs too.
Atlanta ain’t Cleveland.
Atl beat us 3 of 4 the last two years, so what’s Bowles?
January 18th, 2026 at 6:51 am
Imagine where the Bucs would have been with Liam Coen at the helm.
Anyway, it’s onwards and upwards. However, it sure seems like the Buc’s next OC might very well be…Zac Robinson.
January 18th, 2026 at 6:56 am
dont matter…we’ll be at the bottom of the bottom division
January 18th, 2026 at 7:00 am
Would take him over our POS coach. He was leading the Browns, a laughable franchise which we are about to become again. Poor leadership and ownership. Shame.
January 18th, 2026 at 7:45 am
We know he’ll have a great game at least twice next year…
January 18th, 2026 at 8:00 am
Did Stefanski sign off on the trade for Watson? If he did, that should be a major red flag. Of course, even if he did, he probably would tell Artie Blank that the Cleveland ownership forced Watson on him. Matt Ryan seems to like him but who knows how good Matt Ryan is at evaluating coaches. John Elway took responsibility for hiring Vance Joseph and Vic Fangio when he was meddling in Bronco affairs and voila, they are suddenly very relevant now that he is not making the calls anymore. .
January 18th, 2026 at 8:11 am
Buc Fans….with Bowzo still in charge be afraid….very afraid. There, fixed it.
January 18th, 2026 at 8:26 am
If you want to summarize Steffis tenure at Cleveland it is letting baker go in favor of Deshawn Watson. That says it all. He only coached 2 games in the playoffs. Both were losses. A close one to Kc then got blown out by Texas i think. Steffi was in Covid quarantine e,at home and the,assistant coach was in charge for Bakers big blowout win against b the hated Steelers.
January 18th, 2026 at 8:45 am
Well if he’s smart he’ll retain Cousins and have him start both games against the Bucs. Go Bucs!!
January 18th, 2026 at 8:53 am
Stefanski is an upgrade over bowles and a capable coach that won’t allow Bowles to fumble his way to a title. Nope, those days are over, Bowles will.need to go out and get 11-12 wins. Good luck
January 18th, 2026 at 9:09 am
NO and CAR showed significant progress over course of the season. ATL has the nucleus of a good squad.
Stefanski had a terrible owner and the GM at times wasn’t good. He’s a very good coach considering the drama and personnel messes up there. The NFC South just got more challenging for the Bucs.
Coaching is incredibly important in the NFL. Look at SF; in the playoffs despite manor injuries to All Pro personnel this year (WIlliams, Warner among others)
.I don’t see coaching at an NFL level from the Bucs staff.