If Frank Reich and Thomas Brown weren’t singing Kumbaya before, they definitely aren’t now.
On Monday, the Carolina Panthers parted ways with their head coach—firing Reich after just one win in his first 11 games. Offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, who worked closely with Reich, was asked about the impact he had on him.
“Very fortunate for the opportunity that he gave me—provided for me to first be in this role,” Brown said late this morning. “Have an opportunity to kinda work alongside him and kinda grow from that standpoint—I think it’s always an evolving process. I try to be reflective of everyone I’m around when it comes to what I learn, how much I absorb and do a really good job of contributing to be my best every day for them.”
Reich hired Brown for the offensive coordinator job back in February. But his first year at the position hasn’t come without its road bumps—as Reich, a few weeks ago, reclaimed the offense’s play-calling duties just three games after relinquishing them to Brown.
Now, there’s no doubt that the duties will be held by Brown, who will also coach up the team’s running backs for the remaining six games. But he believes that every position group has a great opportunity to close out what’s been a pretty rough season.
“I think it’s about, not just the receivers, but the entire group in general. Coaches as well,” Brown said when asked how he can unlock the team’s wideouts. “Just challengin’ ourselves to be at our best every single day. Not makin’ excuses. The past is the past.
“Talked about it yesterday when I started the unit meeting of being able to have a chance for new beginnings. A new opportunity to kinda imprint ourselves and kinda move forward.”
Brown and the Panthers move forward on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
