Kevin Stefanski, head coach of the Cleveland Browns, gave the keynote address at Franciscan University of Steubenville’s 56th-annual Baron Club Awards Dinner Thursday.  

STEUBENVILLE — Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski tackled faith, family, football and how they’ve all shaped his life, during his keynote address at Franciscan University of Steubenville’s 56th-annual Baron Club Awards Dinner Thursday.

The Browns’ 18th full-time head coach since Jan. 13, 2020, Stefanski headlined Franciscan’s dinner, the primary fundraising effort for its Baron athletics program. The evening also saw special honors given to long-time university supporters Tom and Sarah Gentile and the late Leo Lanaghan.

“Over the last several months, we have gotten to know Kevin quite well,” remarked Joe Wallace, director of community relations and head men’s basketball coach, who served as master of ceremonies. “And far better than being a two-time (Associated Press) NFL Coach of the Year, the best thing I can say about him is that he is a fit for the Ohio Valley, and he is a fit for Franciscan University.”

Following 14 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Stefanski took charge of the Browns, who’ve gone 40-44 across his five seasons as head coach. Stefanski, who’s led the Browns to two post-season appearances and two 11-win seasons, is one of only two coaches in the team’s history to record multiple seasons with at least 11 regular wins — along with Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Paul Brown.

Stefanski is also a practicing Catholic. He said Thursday that Catholicism is integral to his life and has been since his youth, when it was imparted by his parents. Having received a Catholic education, Stefanski desired the same for his children, who currently attend Catholic schools.

“Anyone can Google my record as a coach. There it is in black and white,” he told attendees. “But no one on the outside knows my record as a father, my record as a husband. That job is more important than what I do as a coach. I love my job. I feel a very, very deep responsibility and desire to win football games — don’t get me wrong — but I’ll never lose sight of the most important roles that I play.”

Stefanski played as a safety for the University of Pennsylvania, during a stretch that saw the team win three Ivy League titles. Recovery periods from frequent injuries led Stefanski down the coaching path.

“The coaching fires were stoked in me during those times that I couldn’t play, but I still wanted to impact the game.”

A brief stint in real estate preceded Stefanski’s NFL breakthrough: An internship with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2005. That experience helped him land a job with the Vikings, where he would advance from assistant to the head coach to offensive coordinator throughout his tenure. Stefanski said he’s “lucky and blessed” to have his current position, and he wants to repay that gift from God.

Prayer brings one closer to Jesus, Stefanski said, adding he makes sure to pray every day. The Browns pray as a team before and after every game, he said, with players reciting the Our Father before each game and one coach leading a prayer of gratitude after.

“So, (it’s) about 80 people on their knees, hand in hand, sending our prayers to the lord. Why do we do it? Is it just a habit? I believe it grounds us. I believe it brings us closer to each other, and I believe it re-centers our purpose around the lord.”

Stefanski expressed his passion for football and team sports, which unify individuals of different religions, backgrounds and ages because of the inherent “kindred spirit of teamwork.” Sports and good competition bring out the best individuals, Stefanski said, noting his desire to lead selflessly and put others in the position to succeed.

Throughout his career, Stefanski said, he’s striven to be present in every moment, doing each job to the best of his ability. With the Browns, he aims to learn from his previous performance and eventually deliver the team a Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Concluding, Stefanski said, “I am by no means a perfect father, husband, son or brother, but I hope by staying close to Jesus, he will guide me to bring the best version of myself, and he will encourage me to use the gifts that he has so generously bestowed upon me.”

Before Stefanski’s address, Joe Wallace introduced this year’s Baron Club honorees, who join an extensive list of community members who’ve been recognized at the dinner since 1982.

“We have three outstanding honorees who have embodied what it means to be from the Upper Ohio Valley,” Wallace said, adding later: “These honorees are the definition of what makes the Valley a special place.”

Tom and Sarah Gentile received the Kuzma Community Award. The Gentile family’s relationship with Franciscan spans decades, and Tom and Sarah Gentile have continued that legacy for the past 25 years.

Local business owners and community benefactors, the Gentiles has been married since 1999 — Sarah Gentile met her future husband’s parents at a Franciscan Founders’ Day Dinner.

Tom Gentile, who chairs Franciscan’s community relations board, said in a video message: “I am happy to say there has never been a better time of cooperation and mutual respect between Franciscan University of Steubenville and the entire Ohio Valley.”

“We’re so grateful to be part of this community,” Sarah Gentile said in the message.

The Gentiles presented Stefanski with a Pittsburgh Steelers Terrible Towel — “just something to remember your friends in the Ohio Valley,” Tom Gentile said.

Leo Lanaghan was given the Father Terence Henry, TOR, Award posthumously, following his death April 5 at the age of 92. Members of his family were present to receive the award.

“Pap Leo, we all believe you’re in a better place right now, and we love you — from the entire Lanaghan family,” said grandson Sammy Busic.

A 1950 Steubenville Catholic Central High School graduate, Lanaghan entered the Army with the 82nd Airborne during the Korean War. Following his discharge, he pursued a career in law enforcement, serving as a Steubenville police officer for 22 years, as well as a probation officer and deputy sheriff.

Lanaghan had a special passion for Catholic Central’s athletic program, and he volunteered much of his time for its benefit, including as booster president and equipment manager. Catholic Central honored Lanaghan with a Lifetime Service Award, and in 2022, the Crusaders football team named its youth camp after him. The school also created for him its first and only No. 1 jersey, which was displayed on the seat he was meant to occupy Thursday evening.

Filmed a week before his death, a video message featured past and present Catholic Central athletes and friends expressing their appreciation for Lanaghan. In it, Dave Tuttle of the CCHS 1971 state champion team remarked, “Leo don’t bleed red. Leo bleeds blue and gold.”