While Steven Stefanski and his children were watching the NFL Honors last Thursday, they were looking forward to the Coach of the Year award. Kevin Stefanski, Steve’s cousin and head coach of the Cleveland Browns, was a finalist for the award, writes Matt Breen for The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

The presenter misread the card and announced that the Associated Press Coach of the Year was “Steven Stefanski.” It was quickly corrected, and Kevin was named as the winner. Steve is an assistant CYO basketball coach in West Chester and does commercial real estate as well.

Kevin Stefanski called him shortly after. Steve said, “I told him, ‘I did it.’ He had to know first that I was the real winner. I told him, ‘Hard work pays off,’ which he appreciated.” 

The pair of cousins were close growing up, Steve in Exton and Kevin in Wayne. Now, Kevin is an NFL coach who has won the Coach of the Year award twice. Steve always believed he would get there. 

“There was never a doubt in my mind that he was going to make it as a head coach,” said Steve. 

As a coach himself, Steve’s goal for his CYO team is to have every child enjoy the sport enough to come back for the next season. His team at Saints Peter and Paul Church has a winning record this season, which is fitting for the ‘Coach of the Year.’  

Read more about the two Coaches of the Year at The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

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