{"id":293491,"date":"2023-10-19T17:41:35","date_gmt":"2023-10-19T17:41:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/?p=293491"},"modified":"2023-10-19T17:41:35","modified_gmt":"2023-10-19T17:41:35","slug":"panthers-head-coach-frank-reich-hands-over-play-calling-duties-to-offensive-coordinator-thomas-brown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/nfl\/panthers-head-coach-frank-reich-hands-over-play-calling-duties-to-offensive-coordinator-thomas-brown\/","title":{"rendered":"Panthers head coach Frank Reich hands over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amid an 0-6 start to the season, Panthers head coach Frank Reich is making a change to the decision-making on offense.<\/p>\n

Reich has informed his players he will hand over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported on Monday.<\/p>\n

Reich confirmed the change during his Monday news conference.<\/p>\n

“It’s always been part of the plan,” Reich said. “Something Thomas and I have discussed from the time that he was hired. I’m excited for this for Thomas. I’m excited for our team on offense. Thomas is a stud. He’s a great leader. He’s a brilliant offensive mind. We all have a lot of confidence in him.”<\/p>\n

Brown joined Reich’s staff as the final coordinator hire in February and was considered to be a significant addition. He’s only 37 years old, but is highly regarded in NFL coaching circles as a bright offensive mind.<\/p>\n

The change was Reich’s call, per Pelissero, and Reich confirmed to reporters that it was “100 percent my decision from start to finish.” The move comes at an ideal point as the Panthers enter their bye week, providing Brown with additional time to prepare for his debut with the play sheet in hand Week 8 against the Texans.<\/p>\n

“I think the timing is right,” Reich said. “This has been something even from the beginning that I have talked through with Mr. (David) Tepper and (general manager) Scott (Fitterer) from the beginning of the season. Thought that this bye week was going to be a check point. Really been thinking hard about it the last couple of weeks. And kind of knew it was leaning this way. I’m excited to turn it over to Thomas, and know he’s going to do a great job for this team.”<\/p>\n

Reich said on Monday that from the moment he hired Brown during the offseason he knew this was a likely scenario, but he wanted to get to know Brown first before proceeding with a play-calling change.<\/p>\n

“I needed to get in-season and see it all play out,” said Reich, who added that play-calling will remain a collaborative process. “I’d like to think this is the best decision no matter what our record is.”<\/p>\n

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