There was a flurry of coaching news as it relates to the staff of newly hired Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel on Monday, with big name coaches both being added to the staff and parting ways with the organization.
One of those big name additions is Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown, who will reportedly be joining the Patriots offensive coaching staff as both their passing game coordinator as well as their tight ends coach.
At only 38 years old, Brown has already put together an extensive coaching resume, as the former running back got right into coaching after his three-year playing career with the Falcons and Browns (2008-10).
2024 was especially busy for Brown, serving in three different roles for the Bears in his first season with the organization. First, Brown was hired as the team’s passing game coordinator, working in that capacity throughout training camp and the early part of the season. Then, with Matt Eberflus attempting to save his job midseason, Brown was promoted to offensive coordinator after OC Shane Waldron was fired on November 12. Less than three weeks later, Eberflus was fired, and Brown was promoted to interim head coach of Chicago.
Here’s Brown’s full coaching resume:
2011: Georgia Strength and Conditioning Coach
2012: Chattanooga Running Backs Coach
2013: Marshall Running Backs Coach
2014: Wisconsin Running Backs Coach
2015: Georgia Running Backs Coach
2016-18: Miami Offensive Coordinator & Running Backs Coach
2019: South Carolina Running Backs Coach
2020: Los Angeles Rams Running Backs Coach
2021: Rams Assistant Head Coach & Running Backs Coach
2022: Rams Assistant Head Coach & Tight Ends Coach
2023: Carolina Panthers Offensive Coordinator
2024: Chicago Bears Interim Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator & Passing Game Coordinator
While that resume isn’t chock full of successful stints working with young quarterbacks, it does feature three years on an offensive staff with Rams head coach Sean McVay. And with two of those three years seeing him in the role of assistant head coach, that close working relationship with arguably the best offensive mind in the NFL is something the Patriots have to be intrigued by as they look for someone to pair with 22-year-old Drake Maye.
Vrabel reportedly adds Brown to his coaching staff after passing him over for the offensive coordinator job. Brown was among the first people to interview for the OC position upon Vrabel taking over as head coach, but ultimately lost out on the gig to former two-time Patriots OC Josh McDaniels.
Now, Brown will work directly under McDaniels, bringing his experience of working within the McVay system over to a QB room with two exciting young players in Maye and Joe Milton III.
Stay locked in to WEEI and WEEI.com for all the latest on Vrabel’s coaching staff.