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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Chris Roling

Bengals reactions, notes and quotes to Dan Pitcher news

The Cincinnati Bengals introduced new offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher this week, the first major Zac Taylor coaching tree shakeup since the regime change.

A move necessitated by Brian Callahan leaving to coach the Tennessee Titans, Pitcher’s ascension was as predictable as it gets — but big news nonetheless.

While this plan has been in place for a few years now, the shuffle and domino effect of coaching changes under the coordinator position have created plenty of questions heading into the offseason.

As such, here’s a look at some quick thoughts, notes and quotes about the coaching change that will have an impact on Joe Burrow’s offense.

The plan

This was always it. Pitcher had a big say in details like the third-down offense for a reason. It’s also why the team gave him an extension last year in an effort to prevent him from going and taking a coordinator job with another team. On paper, little figures to change, even when it comes to who actually calls the plays during a game.

More on Pitcher's background

Not only did Pitcher work on things like installs and the third-down offense, he had direct sway in whether to challenge plays, as noted by Jay Morrison of Pro Football Network.

Zac Taylor's comment

Here’s Taylor on Pitcher’s role in developing the likes of Joe Burrow and Jake Browning: “I’m excited for Dan and his opportunity to increase his role on our staff. He has excelled in his job of helping develop our quarterbacks over the past five years. He has been a top contributor to our scheme and that role will now increase. I look forward to seeing him continue to grow in this new position.”

Joe Burrow's comment

And Burrow, from the team’s official announcement of the move: “Our relationship is as good as it gets. I wouldn’t be the player I am today without him. He’s been preparing for this for years. He takes his job very seriously and does it with a lot of passion.”

Jake Browning's comment

Here’s where the praise for Pitcher is really interesting, with Jake Browning explaining just how rare it is for a coach to rise within the same team:

“He’s grown into being the OC in the same building where he started out as a QC. Sometimes that can be difficult because there’s not many guys left in the building from when he was a quality control guy,” Browning says “But he kept stepping up into these different roles that require players to see you in a different light, whether it’s a QC, or running a position group, or running a whole offense. I think he’s done a good job along the way having a good connection with guys and has a wide range of personalities he can connect with.

“I always felt like no matter what you asked him, he knew the answer, or he would work on getting you the answer. That sounds really simple, but that’s just good communication where you feel like you can walk into a game prepared. I always felt prepared when I was playing for him.”

Pitcher on why he didn't take another job last year

It’s no secret Pitcher chose to stay with the Bengals over taking the coordinator job with Tampa Bay last year. But his recounting of it is noteworthy, per Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com:

_ It’s not the first year Pitcher has been in the mix for an offensive coordinator job. He took himself out of last year’s derby in Tampa Bay and told Bengals.com last month, “It was a decision all about what I believe we have here, how important I felt my role in it was and how valued I feel here by Zac and Cali, the players, and everything. It was just the right thing to do.”

Other reactions

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