Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Falcons Land Two-Time NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski

Published

2 months ago

January 17, 2026

Atlanta Falcons Land Two-Time NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski

FLOWERY BRANCH – The Atlanta Falcons, searching for stability and proven leadership after years of inconsistency, have hired Kevin Stefanski as the 20th head coach in franchise history.

Atlanta brought the former Cleveland Browns head coach in for a second interview on Saturday morning, indicating their interest in ensuring he did not get away. Stefanski had also interviewed with the Ravens, Raiders, Dolphins, and Titans, with Tennessee reportedly gearing up a big push for him.

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The president of football, Matt Ryan, said that the team was looking for a head coach with “emotional stability” and “the ability to command respect of your players,” traits they see in Stefanski. And the Falcons got their guy.

Coming off a pair of 8-9 seasons, the Falcons feel as if they are in a position to win now. Stefanski, a two-time NFL Coach of the Year, was considered by many to be the top option for candidates with head coach experience. Just 13 coaches have ever received this recognition twice since 1957.

Despite the two difficult years in Cleveland that led to his dismissal, Stefanski has proof of concept.

Stefanski, a noted offensive coach, worked his way up from an assistant quarterback coach with the Minnesota Vikings in 2009 to the offensive coordinator role in 2019. He then went to Cleveland in 2020.

His tenure ended with a 45-56 record, but it was marked by two of the franchise’s three playoff appearances in the last 30 years (the first since 2002) and their only postseason victory during that span. Those two seasons also represented two of their three seasons with 10 or more wins.

Ultimately, Cleveland’s quarterback situation was untenable. His early seasons with Baker Mayfield and Jacoby Brissett produced some stable offenses, but it all fell apart after that. Over his last three seasons, the Browns have gone through nine different starters. Several of those issues stemmed from their overly ambitious pursuit of Deshaun Watson, a move that led to Stefanski’s eventual demise.

Attention now turns to assembling a staff and finding a quarterback to bridge the gap between now and Michael Penix Jr.’s eventual return from knee injury. A common thought is that Stefanski will largely retain the defensive staff led by Jeff Ulbrich after their strong 2025 season.

Team owner Arthur Blank has been on the record saying he would suggest the next staff retain the defensive coordinator, but would not require it. However, the Falcons have already blocked the Dallas Cowboys from speaking with him about their defensive coordinator opening.

As offensive coordinator, one name that has circulated is Drew Petzing. He was most recently with the Arizona Cardinals and worked with Stefanski in both Minnesota and Cleveland.

At quarterback, Stefanski has experience coaching Kirk Cousins, but it is widely believed that the Falcons will part ways with the veteran quarterback in March. If Cousins is no longer an option, Stefanski could bring in one of his former players (like Brissett, who also played under Petzing in Arizona) or the team could pick someone up in free agency.

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The Falcons had also expressed interest in several other first-time and experienced head coaches. They interviewed a total of nine candidates over the last few weeks before settling on Stefanski for their position.

Atlanta parted ways with Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot after Week 18. With Stefanski as the next head coach for this new-look franchise, attention can now turn to filling the vacancy at general manager.

Stefanski will now look to bring some stability back to the Falcons and snap what has matched their worst eight-year stretch in franchise history. The work starts now.

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Atlanta, GA

Thieves steal dozens of bikes meant for underprivileged kids from Atlanta nonprofit

Published

2 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Thieves steal dozens of bikes meant for underprivileged kids from Atlanta nonprofit

March 5, 2026 / 5:10 PM EST
/ CBS Atlanta

An Atlanta nonprofit is asking the public for help after it was the victim of a brazen theft earlier this week.

Propel ATL said that thieves cleared out an entire trailer of bicycles meant for underprivileged kids sometime on Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.

Jeremiah Jones, the nonprofit’s advocacy manager, said that someone broke into the trailer and took 26 bikes and 24 helmets.

Nonprofit Propel Atl said someone stole dozens of bikes and helmets meant to go to children from their trailer this week.

CBS News Atlanta

The equipment was part of a program that gives bikes to children from low-income schools and teaches them how to ride.

“My heart sank when I got the call that all the bikes were gone. I said, ‘Surely not all of them.’ And all of them are gone,” Jones said. “This class is solely for kids, and this crime is affecting them.”

Atlanta police are reviewing security footage from the area. Jones said you could see people taking the bikes out of the trailer, carrying them down a hill, and bringing them into a nearby parking lot.

The nonprofit is now trying to raise more than $10,000 to replace the bikes.

Propel ATL is also asking who may have information about the theft to contact them at programs@letspropelatl.org.

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Atlanta, GA

Man arrested for knocking kids off bicycles

Published

14 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Man arrested for knocking kids off bicycles

A man was arrested at a concert last week after he shoved two kids off their bicycles, causing one of them to fall into a fountain, Sandy Springs police said. FOX 5 Atlanta’s Brittany Edney reporting.

Posted March 5, 2026 5:42am EST

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Atlanta, GA

Same DNA, new address: Muchacho expands to West Midtown

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Same DNA, new address: Muchacho expands to West Midtown

Photo by Luke Beard

When Muchacho first opened along the Atlanta Beltline and Memorial Drive, it became known as a place shaped as much by its surroundings as by its menu. That site, housed in a 100‑year‑old train depot, set the tone for how the brand approaches expansion: start with the bones of a building, then let the space tell the story. The newly opened Muchacho West Midtown follows that same philosophy.

“We like to celebrate unique attributes of each property and work with the palette we’re given,” says founder and owner Michael Lennox. While the original Muchacho is defined by its long, narrow footprint and Spanish tile roof—features reminiscent of its former life as a train depot—the West Midtown location leans into an industrial past rooted in automotive culture: a former Meineke car care shop. Big windows reference former garage doors, while retro racing details appear inside.

Still, the connective tissue between the two locations is clear. Both spaces draw heavily from Muchacho’s Southern California skate‑and‑surf roots. At Muchacho West Midtown, familiar playfulness appears via a blue‑orange‑yellow racing stripe pattern, a three‑dimensional pegboard gallery wall used to hang art and plants, and vintage Meineke signage. A life‑size cardboard cutout of George Foreman, once the pitchman for Meineke, underscores Lennox’s willingness to lean into humor and nostalgia. “It’s a playful brand,” he says.

A functional halfpipe for skateboarding anchors the outdoor experience and will double as a performance space for bands and DJs. In about a month, a 4,000‑square‑foot “tropical secret garden” with tall bamboo lining the perimeter will open on the south side of the property. Another 1,500 square feet of patio space wraps the west and north sides, currently welcoming about 80 guests. Altogether, the West Midtown location will accommodate about 215 guests, making it comparable in size to the original, with a little more outdoor space.

Muchacho West Midtown opened with the same core menu that made the Beltline location a staple: tacos, breakfast burritos, coffee, cocktails, and beer. Standouts like migas, chilaquiles, carne asada, and al pastor continue to be available. Over time, however, Lennox says each location is expected to develop its own personality, driven by the chefs who have “a pretty wide creative latitude.” Chef Betty Aparicio, formerly of Chido & Padre’s, steers the kitchen on the Westside.

“We want to nurture some immediate familiarity while providing space for some special moments you can only have at each location,” Lennox says.

One of these special moments will take place April 4 at a grand opening party dubbed MuchachoFest. Expect bands, a fortune teller, a mini skate park in parking lot, food and drink specials, and giveaways. “It’s going to be a fun day in West Midtown,” Lennox says.

A third Muchacho location will debut in the old Revival space in Decatur this summer. In addition, the Electric Hospitality team is bringing Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall to the Westside. Slated to launch in May on 11th Street, the convivial restaurant and bar will feature a 5,000-square-foot courtyard with an airstream bar, stage, and Crepe Myrtles, and a 45-seat island bar inside. Formerly a single-story warehouse from 1950s or ’60s, Ladybird West Midtown will offer the same food and beverages as its Eastside sibling with room for the chef and mixologist to add their unique touches.

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