Panthers coach hands play-calling duties to offensive coordinator

CHARLOTTE — Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich is giving up play-calling. Reich is handing over the duties to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown.

“This was 100% my decision,” Reich said in the team’s weekly news conference Monday. “From start to finish.”

Reich acknowledged he and owner David Tepper have talked about it from day one. He said the move is not a reactionary one, even after the Panthers’ 0-6 start this season.

Coach Reich said the team’s bye week presented the ideal timing to make the change. He added that the decision was never a question of “if,” but of “when.”

Brown has always collaborated with Reich during the play-calling process. Now, he’ll take the lead.

Going back to the day Brown was hired, Channel 9′s Dashawn Brown has heard from several coaches on staff who couldn’t say enough about he commands a room. Coach Reich called him a stud.

Reich said they really hadn’t worked together before now.

“I knew it would probably happen fast but I needed to get in season,” he said. “I needed to get in season and see it all play out. I’d like to think this is the best decision, no matter what our record is.”

Reich said the offense itself won’t change. He also said there won’t be any other staff changes heading into the bye week.

(WATCH BELOW: Thomas Brown, new offensive coordinator for Panthers, shares journey to coaching)

Thomas Brown, new offensive coordinator for Panthers, shares journey to coaching

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