Kevin Stefanski had a notable dinner engagement that left a lasting impression.
Just a day after the Browns dismissed him, the Giants sat down for dinner with Stefanski on Tuesday night, marking the beginning of their search for a new head coach, according to a source who spoke with The Post’s Paul Schwartz. By Wednesday afternoon, Stefanski was in the Giants’ headquarters for his first official interview regarding the open position.
The Giants often arrange a casual dinner meeting with potential candidates for high-profile roles or marquee free agents the evening before a formal interview to facilitate a more personal introduction.
Today’s meetings are expected to include participation from the team’s ownership.
Despite any strong impression Stefanski might make, the Giants are unable to hire him immediately.
Due to the Rooney Rule, the Giants are mandated to conduct two face-to-face interviews with external candidates before making a decision. Thus, neither the in-person interview set with interim head coach Mike Kafka, who is of Puerto Rican descent, nor the virtual interview with Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will satisfy this requirement.
Not to mention that Stefanski is going to want to explore other options — the Titans have an opening and a promising young quarterback, too — and the Giants have an interview arranged for next week with former Cowboys/Packers head coach Mike McCarthy and interest in speaking with former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
Stefanski and Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart hit it off during the pre-draft process, and Stefanski has been on the Giants’ radar for years. Former head coach Pat Shurmur tried to bring Stefanski with him as offensive coordinator in 2018, but the Vikings blocked the move.
Stefanski went 45-56 in six years as the Browns’ head coach but won NFL Coach of the Year honors for both of the times that he took the moribund franchise to the playoffs. His father is former Nets general manager Ed Stefanski, so he essentially was a teenager hanging around the Meadowlands.
