What to Know About Steelers First OC Candidate
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers conducted their first offensive coordinator interview, speaking with former Carolina Panthers OC Thomas Brown. But before anyone jumps to his last destination as to why the team shouldn't hire him, it's important to hear what those in Carolina still have to say.
Brown spent just one season with the Panthers in the midst of plenty of controversy and overhaul. His head coach, Frank Reich, was the play-caller for most of the season, and once he was fired, those responsibilities were handed to Brown.
Throughout the season, the Panthers were dealt with offensive line changes, injuries to rookie quarterback Bryce Young and distractions from the constant firing throughout the organization.
According to All Panthers Publisher Schuyler Callihan, that shouldn't deflect a team from seeing who Brown could be.
"This past season, the Panthers finished the year dead last in points per game (13.9), total offense (265.3), passing (161.2), and 20th in rushing (104.1). As bad as things were for Carolina on that side of the ball, it shouldn’t be a major stain on Brown’s resume," Callihan told All Steelers. "Between the back-and-forth handling of play-calling duties, a rookie quarterback, and several starting offensive line combinations, the Panthers never had much of a chance to get things figured out.
"He is well-respected by the other coaches on staff and the players love him. He never had the personnel to run an efficient offense. An intelligent offensive mind that has a bright future if given a real opportunity. All that said, the jury is still out on him, just as it was prior to his first season as a play-caller."
The former OC comes from the Sean McVay coaching tree, where he spent three seasons, two as their assistant head coach. He has play-calling experience in Carolina and as the offensive coordinator for the University of Miami, Florida.
Maybe he's not the top candidate for the Steelers, but him being in the running is a good sign for Pittsburgh. Despite a poor year with his first OC gig, there's plenty of potential in Brown's coaching ability.
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