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  • Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey is Eastern Conference player of the week for second time this season

    Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey is Eastern Conference player of the week for second time this season

    Tyrese Maxey was named the NBA’s Eastern Conference player of the week on Monday.

    The 76ers point guard averaged 34.7 points on 61.2% shooting along with 8.7 assists, 6.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks in three games last week — all road victories — against the Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, and New York Knicks.

    “He’s having an amazing year, and he just kind of keeps coming up with some really big moments or really big games,” coach Nick Nurse said. “And the biggest thing for me is, as I continue to watch here, he’s getting better and better defensively. And that’s really great. That’s really great to see. It really is.”

    Maxey started the week Tuesday with 34 points and a game-high 12 assists in a 139-136 overtime victory over the Grizzlies at FedExForum. The Garland, Texas, native followed that with game highs of 34 points and 10 assists in a 123-108 triumph over the Mavs at American Airlines Center on New Year’s Day. That marked the first time in his career he had recorded at least 30 points and 10 assists in consecutive games.

    The sixth-year veteran concluded the week with 36 points, eight rebounds, four assists, one steal, and two blocks Saturday in a 130-119 victory over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

    He made 14 of 26 three-pointers throughout the week, making at least four in each contest.

    This is the second time in Maxey’s career that he has been named player of the week. The first time was on Oct. 30 after the first week of the season.

    Sixers home slate

    Starting with Monday’s contest against the Denver Nuggets, the Sixers will play 11 of 14 games at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    “That’s awesome,” Adem Bona said Monday after shootaround. “Ending the road trip with three [wins] in a row, that’s good for the team, good for the spirit. And to come back with a three-game winning streak is good for the fans.

    “We’re really excited to be back home, also be back in our comfort space to put the motor a little bit more.”

    On paper, the Sixers (19-14) have a great chance to match their season-best, four-game winning streak.

    The Sixers’ success is dependent on Joel Embiid’s ability to make others better

    The Nuggets (23-12) have lost two straight and four of their last five games heading into Monday night’s matchup.

    Three-time MVP and seven-time All-NBA selection Nikola Jokić is expected to miss four to six weeks after hyperextending his left knee against the Miami Heat on Dec. 29. The Nuggets center is averaging a triple-double: 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11.0 assists.

    Standout guard Jamal Murray (sprained left ankle), power forward Aaron Gordon (strained right hamstring), and backup center Jonas Valanciunas (right calf strain) are among Denver’s seven other sidelined players. The others are: Tamar Bates (left foot surgery), Christian Braun (sprained left ankle), Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness management), and Cameron Johnson (right knee bone bruise).

    After facing the banged-up Nuggets, the Sixers will entertain the Washington Wizards on Wednesday before a three-game road trip against the Orlando Magic (Friday) and Toronto Raptors (Sunday and Jan. 12). Then they’ll play six games at home. After a road game against the Charlotte Hornets, they’ll close out the month with a three-game homestand.

    Embiid finding his rhythm

    On Saturday, Joel Embiid had 26 points on 9-for-15 shooting along with 10 rebounds and five assists against the Knicks in his first game at Madison Square Garden since Game 5 of the 2024 first-round playoff series.

    The center recorded his first dunk of the season late in the game, which garnered a lot of attention. And Bona was still raving over it on Monday.

    “That was hyped,” he said. “I know you saw the whole bench. We were all hyped. It was just a wide-open dunk, but we took it as it was a dunk. First dunk of the season. We were hyped.”

    Joel Embiid is averaging 28.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists over his last seven games.

    But the Sixers have more than a dunk to be excited about when it comes to Embiid. The 2023 MVP has found his offensive rhythm, averaging 28.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists over his last seven games.

    Sixers’ Joel Embiid says he’s feeling more like himself

    Embiid has missed 17 games this season because of right and left knee injuries and a sprained ankle. However, he’s set to play in his fourth consecutive game on Monday, which will provide another opportunity to add to his recent stellar play.

    “It’s great for the team,” Bona said of Embiid finding success. “It’s great for the environment, you know. Getting back to the Joel we know, it’s really awesome. His health is getting better, and his morale is high. We’re playing good together. It’s just good all around.”

  • The Day After: An early look at Eagles vs. 49ers

    The Day After: An early look at Eagles vs. 49ers

    Should the Eagles have rested most of their starters in Sunday’s regular season finale? After they blew a chance to jump up to the two-seed in the NFC, the question was certainly fair and ripe for debate. But the truth is, there’s nothing the Eagles can do about it now. They lost to Washington, and are subsequently locked into a Wild Card round matchup with San Francisco, an opponent with which the Eagles are very familiar. How do the teams – at first glance – matchup? What did the regular season reveal about the type of football we can expect from the Eagles in the postseason? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane and Mike Sielski start to forecast this weekend’s showdown at Lincoln Financial Field.

    00:00 Was the rest worth it?

    03:54 Did the regular season finale reveal anything new about Kevin Patullo, Tanner McKee?

    14:53 What should Tank Bigsby’s role be in the playoffs?

    20:45 Sizing up the 49ers

    31:21 Do the Eagles have enough for another Super Bowl run?

    unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season, including day-after-game reactions.

  • Eagles are slim favorites over 49ers in wild-card round; plus, updated Super Bowl odds for every playoff team

    Eagles are slim favorites over 49ers in wild-card round; plus, updated Super Bowl odds for every playoff team

    The Eagles will host the San Francisco 49ers in the wild-card round of the playoffs after they missed out on the No. 2 seed in the NFC Sunday.

    From Philly’s chances against the Niners to their odds of repeating as Super Bowl champs, here’s a look at where the Birds stand at two of the biggest sportsbooks …

    Eagles vs. 49ers odds

    The Eagles ended the regular season with an 11-6 record and an NFC East title. Meanwhile, the 49ers finished with a 12-5 record after their recent loss to the Seattle Seahawks, and had to settle for a wild-card spot. Now, both teams will meet at Lincoln Financial Field as they try to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive.

    The last time these teams met was during Week 13 of the 2023 season, a 42-19 win for the 49ers that featured the altercation between Big Dom DiSandro and linebacker Dre Greenlaw. The game also marked the start of the Eagles’ infamous 2023 collapse. Heading into that matchup, the Birds were 10-1, but went on to lose six of their last seven games, including a playoff loss to Tampa Bay.

    Former coach, others rip Nick Sirianni’s decision to rest Eagles’ starters: ‘Makes no sense’

    That regular-season loss to the Niners came 10 months after the Eagles eliminated San Francisco in the NFC championship game, knocking Purdy and backup Josh Johnson, who beat the Eagles Sunday, out of the game.

    As both teams prepare for the wild-card matchup, the Eagles are early favorites over.

    FanDuel

    • Spread: 49ers +3.5 (-105); Eagles -3.5 (-115)
    • Moneyline: 49ers (+176); Eagles (-210)
    • Total: Over 46.5 (-108); Under 46.5 (-112)

    DraftKings

    • Spread: 49ers +3.5 (-110); Eagles -3.5 (-110)
    • Moneyline: 49ers (+170); Eagles (-205)
    • Total: Over 45.5 (-112); Under 45.5 (-108)
    Eagles have a tough playoff road, as few No. 3 seeds have made it to the Super Bowl

    NFC odds update

    At both sportsbooks, the Eagles have moved up to the third spot in the race to win the NFC, including jumping over their opponent on Sunday, the 49ers, who have fallen three spots from last week’s odds. The Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams remain in the top two favorites at both sportsbooks.

    FanDuel

    DraftKings

    NFL awards picks: Tom Brady’s MVP illogic, close Coach of the Year vote | Marcus Hayes
    Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks are the favorites to win the Super Bowl.

    Super Bowl odds

    The Eagles’ Super Bowl odds have increased from last week at both sportsbooks as well. They rank behind the Seahawks, Rams, and Denver Broncos with the fourth best odds to win it all. Meanwhile, the 49ers’ odds have dropped, falling outside of the top 10 teams.

    FanDuel

    DraftKings

    Four NFL coaches fired on Black Monday, including ex-Eagles coordinator Jonathan Gannon and Philly native Kevin Stefanski

    MVP odds

    With the end of the regular season, Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye remain at the top of the MVP race. Meanwhile, Jalen Hurts is completely out of the running.

    FanDuel

    DraftKings

  • Four NFL coaches fired, including ex-Eagles coordinator Jonathan Gannon and Philly-area native Kevin Stefanski

    Four NFL coaches fired, including ex-Eagles coordinator Jonathan Gannon and Philly-area native Kevin Stefanski

    For the NFL teams that made the playoffs, this is just another Monday of preparation for the next game, as coaches now have their eyes set on a Lombardi Trophy. For the teams that ended their regular seasons this week, it’s Black Monday — a day when big changes are made on the coaching side, with teams hoping for a better result next season.

    Last year, there were seven coaching changes, but only one coach was fired on Black Monday: former Eagles coach Doug Pederson, who was let go by the Jacksonville Jaguars after a 4-13 season, his third with the team. This year, four coaches have already been let go since the regular season ended Sunday night.

    NFL awards picks: Tom Brady’s MVP illogic, close Coach of the Year vote

    It started with the Atlanta Falcons firing Raheem Morris on Sunday night. On Monday, three more coaches were dismissed: Jonathan Gannon (Arizona Cardinals), Kevin Stefanski (Cleveland Browns), and Pete Carroll (Las Vegas Raiders).

    Two coaches didn’t even make it to the end of the season. Brian Daboll and Brian Callahan were fired by the New York Giants and the Tennessee Titans, respectively, during the season.

    That brings the total to six coaching changes, one behind last year — but it’s still early. Here’s a closer look at the four coaches fired since Sunday.

    Jonathan Gannon

    Gannon was the latest to get fired on Black Monday. The 42-year-old coach was hired from the Eagles in 2023, signing a five-year deal that drew allegations of tampering against the Cardinals because of the timing of hiring, so quickly after the Eagles’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII. The issue was resolved by swapping draft picks.

    Now, the Cardinals have parted ways with the former Eagles defensive coordinator after a 15-36 record (.294) over three seasons. This season, the Cardinals finished with a 3-14 record, the worst of Gannon’s tenure, losing more games than the rest of the NFC West combined (13).

    Pete Carroll was fired after one season with the Raiders.

    Pete Carroll

    While the Cardinals gave Gannon three seasons to try to get the team together, the Raiders weren’t so patient with Carroll, who was fired after just one.

    Las Vegas was one of four teams with a 3-14 record this season, but thanks to tiebreakers, the Raiders will have the No. 1 pick in April’s NFL draft. They had already fired offensive coordinator (and former Eagles coach) Chip Kelly during the season. Of the 3-14 teams, only New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn remains.

    Notably, Raiders minority owner Tom Brady — who will be on the call for the Eagles’ wild-card game Sunday on Fox — will be part of the search for a new head coach in Las Vegas.

    Kevin Stefanski had a .446 winning percentage in six seasons leading the Browns.

    Kevin Stefanski

    A day after Browns fans celebrated Myles Garrett breaking the single-season sack record, they woke up to news that Stefanski, a former two-time NFL coach of the year, had been added to the unemployed list after six seasons in Cleveland.

    Overall, Stefanski went 45-56 (.446) with the Browns, the franchise’s best winning percentage since Bill Belichick’s short tenure in Cleveland in the early 1990s (not counting the eight games Gregg Williams served as the team’s interim coach in 2018).

    Stefanski is a Wayne native who played quarterback at St. Joseph’s Prep and Penn.

    Eagles have a tough playoff road, as few No. 3 seeds have made it to the Super Bowl

    Raheem Morris

    The Falcons fired Morris, along with general manager Terry Fontenot, even though Atlanta ended the season with four consecutive wins and tied for first place in the NFC South with an 8-9 record. It was Morris’ second straight 8-9 finish.

  • Matvei Michkov out vs. Ducks with a foot injury

    Matvei Michkov out vs. Ducks with a foot injury

    The Flyers returned home to the friendly confines of their training center in Voorhees after a solid 3-2-0 road swing, one that included three stops in Western Canada.

    But they are a man down Tuesday night against the Anaheim Ducks (7 p.m., NBCSP) with Matvei Michkov out due to injury. The Flyers announced before puck drop that Michkov is out day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

    Earlier in the day, coach Rick Tocchet said Michkov, who did not practice Monday but returned to the ice for an optional morning skate Tuesday, was a game-time decision with a foot injury.

    “Mich had an X-ray that was negative yesterday. He’s got a little bit of swelling, but he’s going to skate. It’d probably be a game-time decision on him,” Tocchet said on Tuesday.

    It’s worth noting that Michkov stayed on the ice late Tuesday with the expected healthy scratches, so that indicated he was unlikely to play tonight.

    According to Tocchet, the winger took a puck off his foot on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers. “We didn’t know until [Monday],” Tocchet said.

    It appears to have happened Saturday during the Flyers’ power play in the third period of their 5-2 win. Skating in the neutral zone, Trevor Zegras went to zing a cross-ice pass to Christian Dvorak standing at the opposite end of the blue line. Instead, the pass attempt went off the left skate of Michkov as he skated by. Michkov picked up his leg and seemed to wince after the contact.

    The apparent injury happened seven seconds into a one-minute power-play shift by Michkov. The 21-year-old winger did skate two more shifts, including a 43-second shift that started with 70 seconds left in the game.

    Michkov has nine goals and 23 points in 40 games this season, with his best game coming against the Vancouver Canucks on Dec. 30. He had the secondary assist on Bobby Brink’s goal, the eventual game-winner against the Oilers, when he took his time and hit Cam York as he skated down the middle. York’s shot went in off the leg of Brink.

    It is the first time in his NHL career that he will miss a game due to injury. Michkov was a healthy scratch for two games last season under then-coach John Tortorella.

    Breakaways

    The Pittsburgh Penguins waived former Flyers defenseman Egor Zamula on Monday for the purpose of terminating his contract, and he cleared on Tuesday. Zamula, who was traded by the Flyers last week, was suspended by the Penguins for refusing to report to the team’s American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. An unrestricted free agent, Zamula signed a one-year deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.

  • Temple schedules nonconference football matchup with Toledo for next season and 2032

    Temple schedules nonconference football matchup with Toledo for next season and 2032

    Temple announced Monday that it will play Toledo in a nonconference football game on Sept. 19.

    The road game will complete the Owls’ nonconference slate and 12-game schedule in coach K.C. Keeler’s second season. The Owls also will host the Rockets on Sept. 18, 2032.

    The two teams have not squared off since the Rockets defeated the Owls, 32-17, in the Boca Raton Bowl on Dec. 22, 2015. Toledo limited quarterback PJ Walker to 236 passing yards and an interception. Current Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt scored two touchdowns for Toledo.

    Reports: Iowa State QB Rocco Becht joining coach Matt Campbell at Penn State

    Temple was supposed to play Coastal Carolina in a road game, but the Chanticleers announced adjustments to their schedule on Aug. 29.

    The Toledo matchup will be the Owls’ only nonconference road game next season, taking place at the Glass Bowl in Toledo, Ohio. Temple will host Rhode Island on Sept. 5, Penn State on Sept. 12, and Connecticut, led by former Toledo coach Jason Candle, on Oct. 10.

    Temple head coach K.C. Keeler led the Owls to a 5-7 record in his first season.

    Toledo hired former Mercer coach Mike Jacobs in December after Candle took the UConn job. Temple will play six teams that will be under new leadership in 2026.

    Temple will be playing nine schools in 2026 that appeared in bowl games, including every road game. Keeler won three road games in 2025, becoming the first Owls coach to do so since 2021.

  • Former coach, others rip Nick Sirianni’s decision to rest Eagles’ starters: ‘Makes no sense’

    Former coach, others rip Nick Sirianni’s decision to rest Eagles’ starters: ‘Makes no sense’

    The No. 2 seed in the NFC was on the line on Sunday during the late window — but Nick Sirianni and the Eagles instead chose to rest their starters against Washington. The Birds needed the Bears to lose to have a shot at it, but the two games were unfolding simultaneously.

    Instead of playing for the win and hoping for a Bears loss, the Birds looked forward to the playoffs. But some other former NFL coaches didn’t understand that decision, including Rex Ryan.

    “If we had a chance for the two seed? Hell yeah, you’re playing the whole game, we’ll rest in the offseason,” Ryan said of the Eagles’ opportunity to guarantee themselves a second home playoff game if they advance past the San Francisco 49ers.

    “One thing I know about Philly?” Ryan added. “They are hard as hell to beat in the playoffs at home.”

    Eagles have a tough playoff road, as few No. 3 seeds have made it to the Super Bowl

    The Birds earned the No. 2 seed in 2024, and had home-field advantage until the Super Bowl thanks to last year’s No. 1 seed, the Detroit Lions, losing in the divisional round. This year, the third-seeded Eagles could potentially get just one home game, Sunday’s wild-card round game against San Francisco.

    “I don’t understand Nick Sirianni not playing for the 2 seed Sunday,“ Peter King wrote in his newsletter. ”Makes no sense. If you’re the 2 seed and you win the Wild Card game, you’re home for two playoff games. If you’re the 3 seed and the 2 seed wins the Wild Card game, you’re home for only one playoff game. Seems like a missed opportunity to me, sitting so many of your guys in a game you’d likely win. Sirianni said he opted for resting guys who needed it. We’ll see if impacts the next two weeks.”

    Chad Johnson, however, disagreed. The former wide receiver said giving the players the week off and not concerning themselves with the results of the other teams was the best path forward, to make sure everyone was good to go for the games that matter.

    “Honestly, I like it, especially with the way they’ve looked,” Johnson said on Nightcap. “They’ve been up and down all season long. It’s one game or go home. It doesn’t matter where we’re seeded. We still have to play the game.”

    Nick Sirianni didn’t rest Kevin Patullo and the Eagles offense still looked inadequate

    Former Eagles defensive end Chris Long agreed that due to the injuries along the offensive line, it was best to just rest everyone to avoid anyone else getting hurt ahead of the playoffs. After the previous game against the Commanders ended in a scuffle, Long believes it was also the safest outcome.

    “It’s a bit of a rockhead take, but if Jalen Hurts were playing in that game, [Commanders LB Frankie] Luvu would have done some crazy [expletive] to him,” Long said on his Green Light podcast. “Dudes were head hunting. … You had to rest the offensive line. That’s the crux of it. That offensive line is hanging on by a thread. Jalen out there without that offensive line, it’s going to be terrible.”

    Hurts — and the rest of the Eagles starters — will be back out on the field Sunday when they host the Niners at 4:30 p.m.

    Nick Sirianni did the smart thing by resting his starters. Now the Eagles have to show he was right. | Mike Sielski

  • Villanova’s winning streak may have ended, but there’s plenty for Denise Dillon to be happy about

    Villanova’s winning streak may have ended, but there’s plenty for Denise Dillon to be happy about

    Villanova was starting to look unbeatable. The Wildcats had turned a shaky beginning of the 2025-26 season into a 10-game winning streak that stretched into Big East play.

    They’d won five straight conference games, including a crucial New Year’s Day matchup vs. Creighton. However, Marquette ended Villanova’s hot streak, exposing its flaws in an 85-69 win on Sunday in Milwaukee.

    Villanova (12-3, 5-1 Big East) entered the matchup at No. 28 in the NCAA’s NET rankings. Despite Sunday’s disappointment, coach Denise Dillon’s Wildcats have piled up wins and seem poised to contend with the top women’s teams in the Big East.

    Defense falters vs. Marquette

    Villanova entered the game with the second-best defense in the Big East. Opponents were averaging just 58.8 points and shooting 37.2% from the field against the Wildcats.

    However, the Golden Eagles (10-5, 4-2) were unfazed. Villanova gave up the most points it had this season, and, although it tied the score twice, Marquette led for the majority of the game and shot 51.75% from the field.

    Villanova releases its 2026 football schedule for first season in Patriot League

    Marquette’s Halle Vice was unstoppable. The junior guard scored 14 points in the first quarter alone and made each of her first nine shots from the field en route to a 32-point outing. Guard Jaidynn Mason and forward Skylar Forbes also scored 20 points each.

    Villanova especially struggled to defend Marquette’s three-point shooting. The Golden Eagles knocked down 61.1% of their shots from long range, going 11-for-18. The Wildcats’ full-court press didn’t slow them down, and they led by as many as 20 points in the fourth quarter.

    A year later than planned, Villanova wins its latest women’s Big 5 title

    Bascoe stays consistent

    Sophomore guard Jasmine Bascoe has been Villanova’s dependable backcourt leader. She held up the offense against Marquette with 20 points and four assists. Bascoe is averaging a team-best 17.3 points, which also is good for third in the Big East.

    While Bascoe remains a crucial presence for the Wildcats, the team’s depth on offense has helped it thrive this season. Bascoe, also the team’s assists leader, has plenty of reliable options around her.

    Those options were tested on Dec. 29 at DePaul, as Bascoe went down with a leg injury in the first quarter and missed the rest of the game. Junior forward Brynn McCurry filled the gap, scoring 18 points as four Wildcats finished in double figures in an 81-48 win.

    Bascoe was back on the court in the Wildcats’ 74-64 win over Creighton. Freshman forward Kennedy Henry led the scoring with a career-high 19 points in that win, while Bascoe added 15.

    Brynn McCurry is among Villanova players who stepped up when leading scorer Jasmine Bascoe was sidelined vs. DePaul.

    Big East competition

    Villanova sits in second place in the conference standings behind No. 1 UConn (15-0, 6-0). The Wildcats have defied expectations early in conference play, after being picked to finish fourth in the Big East preseason poll.

    With the loss to Marquette behind them, the Wildcats will look to bounce back on their home court. Villanova next hosts Xavier (9-6, 2-4) on Thursday (11:30 a.m., ESPN+).

  • Eagles have a tough playoff road, as few No. 3 seeds have made it to the Super Bowl

    Eagles have a tough playoff road, as few No. 3 seeds have made it to the Super Bowl

    There are a lot of opinions about Nick Sirianni’s decision to rest the Eagles starters Sunday in a loss to the Washington Commanders, especially after the Chicago Bears’ loss opened the door for the Birds to land the No. 2 seed.

    Philly sports talkers are likely to debate the decision all week, but what’s done is done. The Eagles will enter the playoffs as the No. 3 seed, a position that has produced surprisingly few Super Bowl teams.

    Wharton professor Deniz Selman crunched the numbers. Since 1975, when the current playoff seeding began, just five No. 3 seeds have made it through the playoffs and ended up in the Super Bowl. By comparison, 55 No. 1 seeds, 24 No. 2 seeds, and 11 No. 4 seeds have made it to the big game.

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    The most recent No. 3 seed to advance to the Super Bowl was the Kansas City Chiefs, who made it to Super Bowl LVIII in the 2023 season and defeated the No. 1 San Francisco 49ers.

    The Eagles’ four Super Bowl appearances have all come as either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed, including last year’s victory against the Chiefs.

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    The Eagles were the No. 3 seed in 2013, but they lost to the New Orleans Saints in the wild-card round at Lincoln Financial Field. They also didn’t advance past the wild-card round as a No. 3 seed in 2010, while in 2006 their postseason run ended in the divisional round.

    The Birds made it to the NFC championship game as the No. 3 seed during the 2001 playoffs, but lost to the then-St. Louis Rams, 29-24 when Aeneas Williams intercepted Donovan McNabb with less than two minutes remaining.

    Here are the five NFL teams that entered the playoffs as the No. 3 seed and advanced to the Super Bowl:

    • 1979: Los Angeles Rams lost Super Bowl XIV
    • 1987: Washington won Super Bowl XVIII
    • 2003: Carolina Panthers lost Super Bowl XXXVIII
    • 2006: Indianapolis Colts won Super Bowl XLI
    • 2023: Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII
  • Cleveland Browns fire head coach Kevin Stefanski after six seasons

    Cleveland Browns fire head coach Kevin Stefanski after six seasons

    BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns have fired coach Kevin Stefanski after six seasons.

    Stefanski, a Wayne native who played quarterback at St. Joseph’s Prep and got his start coaching at his alma mater, Penn, is the fourth NFL coach fired this season. He joins Tennessee’s Brian Callahan, the New York Giants’ Brian Daboll and Atlanta’s Raheem Morris.

    The Browns won their final two games to finish 5-12, including a 20-18 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

    The 43-year-old Stefanski is a two-time AP NFL Coach of the Year. He led Cleveland to playoff appearances in 2020 and 2023. The Browns’ 48-37 victory over Pittsburgh in an AFC wild-card round game was the franchise’s first since 1993.

    Ironically, Stefanski was not on the Browns’ sideline for that game after he tested positive for COVID-19. He watched the game from the basement at his house.

    Stefanski is the sixth coach fired since owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam bought the franchise in 2012. The five coaches hired by the Haslams have a 73-139-1 regular-season record since 2013, the second-worst mark in the NFL.