Mike Priefer intends to follow Kevin Stefanski's example as the Cleveland Browns aim to overcome the odds and record a first playoff win since 1994.
Head coach Stefanski steered the Browns to an 11-5 record in his first season in charge, good enough to clinch a Wild Card berth.
However, he will not be on duty for the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers after testing positive for coronavirus. With five cases in total, the team were forced to shut their facility on Tuesday.
Special teams coordinator Priefer will step up to take charge and is confident the foundations are in place for success, despite the disruption during preparations.
"I am both honoured and humbled to have this opportunity, but make no mistake, this is Kevin's team," Priefer told the media on Thursday.
"He has laid the foundation of a smart, tough, accountable, resilient team, and I will do whatever is asked of me to help the Cleveland Browns get a win on Sunday.
"I do love this city, I think you guys know that, and our fans deserve our best effort and that is what we plan on giving them on Sunday.
"Everybody is different, but I am going to try to be an extension of Kevin.
"I understand situational football, and I am kind of into that mode anyway on game day, so that part will not change but I am going to try to do exactly what Kevin would want to have happen in those situations."
WE’RE IN. pic.twitter.com/IkSNZiJzrd
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 3, 2021
The COVID-19 outbreak has left the Browns unable to hold practices ahead of a repeat of the Week 17 clash with the Steelers - a game Cleveland won 24-22 to clinch a postseason berth.
Players have had to make do with remote sessions but starting quarterback Baker Mayfield insists they are determined to capitalise on the long-awaited opportunity.
"All we wanted was a chance and we got it," Mayfield said in a media conference call.
"We're in, and once you're in the dance anything can happen. However, or whatever, it takes to get a 'W' on Sunday, that's what our team is going to be ready to do."
The Browns activated Andrew Sendejo from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday, though fellow safety Ronnie Harrison has been added, ruling him out of the Pittsburgh game.