CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has experienced mild symptoms since testing positive for COVID-19, including the loss of his sense of taste, but he expects to return to the team this week.
“I am good. Very, very mild symptoms,” Stefanski said Monday afternoon. “I should be returning – it sounds like Thursday.”
Stefanski along with four of his assistant coaches – offensive line coach Bill Callahan, assistant line coach Scott Peters, tight ends coach Drew Petzing and defensive backs coach Jeff Howard – remained back in Cleveland and watched Sunday night’s 48-37 playoff victory over the Steelers from their homes.
“I don’t plan on doing that again,” Stefanski said.
“I have a newfound respect for all of our fans and how they watch those games. I like it better when I have some control.”
Stefanski did not have an update on players who remain on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, including cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson, left guard Joel Bitonio and receiver KhaDarel Hodge.
“I will just update those guys as it becomes appropriate,” Stefanski said.
Stefanski kept his phone off during the game to prevent distractions while watching in his basement as he continues to isolate away from his family.
As soon as the game ended, he turned it on just in time.
“Jarvis coming off of the field FaceTimed me immediately, which I was not expecting to be jumping on FaceTime about two seconds after the game ended,” Stefanski said.
“It was a strange feeling obviously – do not plan on doing it again – but great to just let those guys know how proud of them I am.”
For 3 ½ hours Sunday night, Stefanski vacillated between being a coach and fan.
“I tried to lock in and pay attention and try and kind of see where AVP was going and where Joe [Woods] was going with some of the calls and then watching along with our guys,” Stefanski said. “I just turned into a fan of the team just pulling for our guys like crazy. It is a very, very unique feeling not to be there with them. There was a ton of nervous energy that usually does not exist on the sideline for whatever reason, but it existed for me last night.”
It didn’t take long for him to feel the joy fans felt.
The Browns defense scored on the first snap of the game when Steelers center Maurkice Pouncy shot the snap over Ben Roethlisberger’s head and safety Karl Joseph recovered the loose ball in the end zone but Stefanski’s feed was delayed about 45 second because he apparently paused the TV.
“When I heard my kids going crazy upstairs, I had an inkling something good was gonna happen on that first play,” Stefanski said.
The Browns reached the AFC Divisional round for the first time since 1994 and they look to advance to the AFC Championship game for the first time since January 1990 should they upset the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs Sunday afternoon in Kansas City.
“We’re one of eight teams,” Stefanski said. “I am not a math major, but we will take those chances. That is what the guys understand. This is the fun part about the playoffs. Every game gets bigger and bigger, and the challenge gets bigger and bigger. We have a big challenge this week playing the Super Bowl champs.”
