The Browns have named Mac Stephens, head coach of the Cleveland Heights High School football team, the 2024 Cleveland Browns High School Coach of the Year – a recognition that celebrates his commitment to his team, school and community.
As part of the Cleveland Browns High School Game of the Week program – which is in its 14th consecutive year with Ohio CAT as the program's presenting partner in association with Foreverlawn and highlights a game each week selected for Game of the Week – all 10 Coaches of the Week are nominated for the Coach of the Year Award.
The award comes with a $5,000 donation to the Cleveland Heights football program, and Stephens will represent the Browns for the AFC NFL Don Shula High School Coach of the Year award.
Browns Youth Football manager Hannah Lee said over the past four years, she has watched Stephens transform athletes in his football program into leaders both on and off the field. He's helped instill values of integrity, discipline and compassion. This selection was made not just for Stephens' successes on the field during the 2024 season, but also for his profound influence as a coach, leader and mentor. The Browns recognized Stephens' leadership, sportsmanship, character and dedication to his community and how he has made a lasting impact, inspiring future coaches and athletes alike.
"Coach Stephens has been a leader of the game in so many ways, and we are honored to have him represent the Cleveland Browns as our 2024 Coach of the Year," Cleveland Browns Vice President of Community Relations Jenner Tekancic said. "Coach Stephens has been a pillar in the community of Cleveland Heights and leads by example through his compassion and dedication to helping grow and develop the game at the youth and high school level."
The Reason Behind His 'Why'
Stephens is a firm believer that sports — especially football — are powerful tools for teaching life lessons, and one that must be reinforced daily. His own upbringing closely resembles the challenges faced by many of his players, which enables him to offer valuable guidance on how to steer clear of those detrimental paths. Through Stephens' experiences, he demonstrates to his team how they can leverage football as a vehicle to overcome challenges, rise above negativity and accomplish greater achievements in life.
As a coach, Stephens discovered that he often takes on more roles than just "coach." He wears the hat of a counselor, mentor and even a surrogate parent. This unique position provides him with an opportunity to address some of the negative influences in society that affect many of the young athletes he coaches.
In football, they frequently discuss the ideas of family, the importance of supporting one another and being there for teammates. He's witnessed this firsthand at Cleveland Heights, when the football team helped a few players who were experiencing homelessness as they approached their senior year. Stephens has watched the team and coaching staff unite to assist families facing challenging socioeconomic circumstances. His players have shown emotional support for their teammates during difficult times, and he constantly reflects on how grateful he is for the relationships and lessons he's learned and taught through football.
Through the genuine and impactful relationships that Stephens and his coaches foster, their athletes can see reflections of themselves. This kind of guidance serves as daily reassurance, motivating his staff to lead by example. Stephens and his team are nurturing and equipping the next generation, ensuring they will be ready when it's time to hang up the cleats and pursue their own purpose.
"The players see the various levels of success in my staff and aspire to be teachers, coaches, real estate executives, police officers and entrepreneurs because that is the example they see in the staff daily," Stephens said.
Through his leadership, community involvement and unwavering commitment to developing young men and women both on and off the field, Stephens has built a legacy that goes far beyond football.
"On the field I love my players as if they are my own children," Stephens said. "I believe in teaching discipline and keeping emphasis on development of good character first and foremost. I believe in having fun and not making things so serious that kids cannot enjoy the game itself."
Yet, Stephens continues to find other ways to impact others in Northeast Ohio. He is actively involved in numerous organizations, such as the City of Euclid Recreation, and owns Coach Mac's Speed, Power, & Fitness company. He is the Founder and Treasurer of the NEO African American Football Coaches Alliance, Founder of Build the Bridge and Found and Co-President of North Coast Youth Football Conference. He serves as a board member for the Cleveland Browns Youth Football Council, and helped establish a girls high school flag football team at Cleveland Heights High School in 2022 during the pilot year of the league.
Stephens' impact on athletes' lives isn't just measured in wins or losses, but also in the way they carry themselves in the world. His commitment to shaping strong character and empowering his players to succeed in all areas of life fueled the Browns nomination for the High School Coach of the Year award.
"The mark he leaves on these young men is immeasurable, and his unwavering commitment to building character, both on and off the field, is why I believe he is so deserving of this honor," Lee said.
A Winning Record Beyond the Scoreboard
Since taking over as head coach at Cleveland Heights in 2014, Stephens has transformed the football program, achieving a 71-46-1 record over 11 seasons. In his eyes, his success stretches past just the results on the football field.
"My goals go well beyond winning on the field," Stephens said. "We have to position our student athletes to win in all phases of life by teaching them how to compete properly, communicate effectively and carry themselves in way that society will respect on and off the field."
One of Stephens' core beliefs is that football should be a platform for teaching life lessons. He has always focused on the growth of his players' character, teaching them the values of discipline, hard work and selflessness. His focus on holistic development has not only prepared his players for success on the field but has also helped them succeed in life after football, and he's seen that philosophy translate into tangible success both on and off the field.
Under his leadership, the Cleveland Heights football program has improved in academic performance, with the team GPA rising from 2.2 to 3.0 over the past decade. One of his most significant achievements is the 100 percent graduation rate during his tenure, with nearly 100 players moving on to play college football at programs across the country such as The Ohio State University, Georgetown University, Colgate University, Marshall University and others.
"We teach our athletes first and foremost to come to Cleveland Heights High School and take advantage of the opportunity to get an education that will serve you well for the rest of your life," Stephens said.
At the heart of Stephens' coaching philosophy is the Heights Blueprint, a program that emphasizes academic excellence, social responsibility and athletic effort. Stephens aims for his athletes to excel as students, community members and competitors, and through this initiative, Stephens teaches his players that success is about more than just football.
He stresses that academic excellence is the top priority in his program and works to instill a strong sense of social responsibility in his athletes. His players participate in numerous community service activities, including organizing 2-3 free football camps for youth, picking up litter and helping seniors with yard work.
"I teach the student athletes in our program if they can embrace these elements, ultimately, they will be on a pathway to success by the time they graduate from Cleveland Heights," Stephens said. "I always put emphasis on supporting the Heights community because over the years the community has always supported our endeavors. It's their duty to do the same for the community. That's what it means to be part of a team—helping each other and helping others."
Stephens also holds his players to high standards of discipline and personal responsibility. His philosophy of "I'd rather lose a game if necessary to help a young person win in life by teaching a life lessons" has garnered respect from players, families, coaches and the community because they recognize the immense love he invests in his team – even if it isn't immediately apparent.
"There have been times when I have sat an All-American or All-State player because they did not meet certain standards in our program such as being on time, meeting academic requirements or leading with a good example," Stephens said.
He strives to have meaningful conversations with his players on topics beyond football, helping him to understand what drives each player.
He's seen direct results from those conversations, as throughout 2024, Stephens has worked with a junior facing significant family challenges and lacking support. Despite this, the athlete was determined to play hard and excel, aiming for a college scholarship to be the first in his family to attend college and set an example for his younger siblings. Stephens consistently reminded him before games that he was playing for something greater than just the score. That very player has committed to a Big Ten football program, which can help alter the course of his life and impact his siblings' futures as well.
A Journey Rooted in Football and Character
Stephens' journey to becoming a highly respected coach is rooted in the lessons he learned throughout his playing career. As a Northeast Ohio native, he was impacted by his first tackle football coach, Chuck Eaton, at eight years old in a youth football league.
"He made me feel like I was the best football player in the world, even though I wasn't," Stephens said.
His early experience lit a fire in him to one day give back to others the way Eaton did for him. His high school coach, Dave Marshall, at Akron Firestone High School became another pivotal figure in his life. Marshall taught Stephens to "speak life" into others on and off the field – a philosophy that would become a cornerstone of his own coaching style.
"He spoke life into me every time we had a conversation," Stephens recalled.
After high school, Stephens went on to play linebacker for the University of Minnesota, and learned invaluable lessons from his position coach, Dick Biddle. Biddle not only guided him on the field, but also influenced his perspective on life beyond football, teaching him to "do more for others and try to impact young men in positive ways through coaching." Even after his college years, Biddle kept in touch with Stephens, offering encouragement and reinforcing the idea of using football as a vehicle to make a difference in young men's lives.
Stephens' professional career in the NFL with the New York Jets served as a key influential period in his life and his coaching career. Stephens was undrafted out of Minnesota in 1990, but the linebacker signed as a free agent with the Patriots and spent training camp in New England. He was released by the Patriots, and a few days later, was picked up by the Jets. During his rookie year with the Jets in 1990, he learned from then defensive coordinator Pete Carroll.
"Carroll had an infectious level of positive energy that convinced me to someday become a coach," Stephens said. "He had a fun caring style of coaching that was not typical of what I saw in most coaches."
Stephens kept note of those traits and ultimately wove them into his own coaching style and philosophy, which emphasizes positivity, fun, and a focus on character development.
As Stephens reflected, he recognized the profound influence those coaches had on his own life and is driven by a desire to pay that forward. By impacting hundreds of young lives, Stephens aims to replicate the transformative experiences he had as a player. Yet, Stephen's journey is not just about winning games; he strives to impact lives and instill values that will guide young people beyond the football field.
"My reward is simply fulfilling my purpose in life," Stephens said. "There is nothing like seeing the excitement of a young person accomplishing a goal or doing something they never thought they could accomplish. It brings me joy to see a kid that never played varsity get an opportunity and run off the field with the biggest smile because they finally got to play on Friday night."
These moments are what fuel his passion for coaching—helping young athletes realize their potential and experience the joy of accomplishment. For Stephens, each smile and each success story reinforce his belief in the power of sports to inspire and uplift.
Stephens also takes great pride in the long-term outcomes of his coaching, particularly when former players return to share their successes. He said knowing that his guidance helped steer them toward positive paths and away from negative influences is personally rewarding. Stephens said he hopes that his dedication and sincerity resonate with both current and former players, as he continues to strive for a positive impact in their lives. Ultimately, Stephen's aspiration is to remain involved in the game of football, contributing in various capacities to ensure that the sport continues to empower youth and enrich society.
"Mac Stephens embodies the true essence of coaching. He doesn't just teach football, he teaches life," Lee said.
