The Bears are set to hire former Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown to their coaching staff.
The Chicago Bears offensive coaching staff continues to take shape as another vacancy has reportedly been filled. The Bears are set to hire former Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown to be their passing game coordinator, according to multiple reports. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune was first with the news.
#Bears are hiring Thomas Brown, former #Panthers OC, as passing game coordinator. He worked previously with OC Shane Waldron when they were with the #Rams.
Brown was a candidate for the Bears’ offensive coordinator vacancy before they settled on Shane Waldron. The two have worked together in the past, when they were both with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020. Brown spent three seasons with the Rams, coaching running backs in 2020. He added assistant head coach to his responsibilities in 2021, before coaching tight ends in 2022. Last season, he joined Frank Reich’s staff in Carolina as their offensive coordinator, where he worked with Bryce Young during his rookie season. When Carolina fired Reich, Brown took over playcalling duties for the remainder of the season.
Broncos new passing game coordinator John Morton has 20 years of coaching experience in the NFL, including a stint as an OC.
In addition to bringing in Davis Webb as their new quarterbacks coach, the Denver Broncos will also have a new passing game coordinator in 2023.
John Morton, 53, joined the team earlier this month. He arrives in Denver with 20 years of NFL coaching experience on his resume.
Before transitioning to coaching, Morton spent time with the Oakland Raiders, Green Bay Packers and Jacksonville Jaguars in between stops in the CFL and NFL Europe as a wide receiver. After a five-year career as a player from 1993-1997, Morton switched to coaching in 1998.
He started out as an offensive assistant with the Raiders and after three promotions served as tight ends coach in 2004. After that, he spent one year as a passing game/wide receivers coach at the University of San Diego before joining Sean Payton‘s staff as a passing game coordinator/Offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints in 2006.
Morton then spent four years at USC before returning to the NFL as a WRs coach with the San Francisco 49ers. After four years in San Francisco, Morton served as a WRs coach under Payton again in New Orleans from 2015-2016.
Morton then landed an offensive coordinator job with the New York Jets in 2017, but that only lasted one season. From there, he served as a senior offensive assistant with the Raiders (2019-2021) and Detroit Lions (2022) before reuniting with Payton for a third time, now in Denver.
Morton has an impressive resume for a passing game coordinator, and he’ll aim to help the Broncos get their passing game back on track this fall.
Cooter was the offensive coordinator in Detroit from 2016-18 and was most recently a consultant for the Eagles.
Jacksonville continues to put together a strong staff under new head coach Doug Pederson, and now it has added perhaps the best name in coaching to its staff.
According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Jaguars plan to hire Jim Bob Cooter as their next passing game coordinator. Cooter is perhaps best known for his stint as the offensive coordinator in Detroit from 2016-18, where he worked with star quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Cooter is a Tennessee graduate, where he was a backup quarterback in college before beginning his career as a graduate assistant for the Volunteers. He worked with fellow UT alum Peyton Manning in Indianapolis from 2009-11 when he was an offensive assistant for the Colts under coach Jim Caldwell.
He would rejoin Caldwell with the Lions as a quarterbacks coach in 2014 after stints as an assistant with the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos. Cooter was elevated to the offensive coordinator role midway through the 2015 season, and he held on to that role through the coaching change in 2018. However, Matt Patricia wouldn’t renew his contract in 2019.
He spent the next two seasons with Adam Gase and the New York Jets as the running backs coach, and he was most recently a consultant for Philadelphia in 2021. Some linked Cooter to an offensive coordinator position when Caldwell was a candidate for the head coaching job, and it seems that the 37-year-old will end up in Jacksonville after all.
Pederson said during his introductory press conference that he intends to call plays this season, meaning that Cooter’s role would be more with developing game plans for Trevor Lawrence and the passing game.
The support structure around Lawrence is now in place, as Pederson — a quarterback specialist in his own right — has added a pair of former NFL offensive coordinators to work with the second-year passer in Cooter and Mike McCoy, who will serve as quarterbacks coach.
Former Panthers defensive passing game coordinator Jason Simmons is taking similar position with Raiders
Raiders’ new defensive coordinator is moving quickly to put together his staff. The latest addition is former Panthers defensive passing game coordinator Jason Simmons who is being hired to a similar position by the Raiders, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Raiders are hiring Panthers passing game coordinator Jason Simmons for the same position, per source. Simmons reunites with Las Vegas DC Patrick Graham. The two were together in Green Bay.
Simmons spent the past two seasons in Carolina as their defensive pass game coordinator and secondary coach. The Panthers had the league’s second-ranked defense in terms of yards allowed last season while giving up the fourth fewest passing yards in the league.
Prior to 2020, Simmons had spent nine years in the Packers organization, most years as either a secondary or defensive backs coach.
He was on the same defensive staff as Graham in 2018 when he was the linebackers coach and running game coordinator and Simmons was the secondary coach.
Simmons played ten years in the NFL as a defensive back with the Steelers (1998-2001) and Texans (2002-07).
Simmons is the second defensive position coach reportedly hired by the Raiders along with DB coach Chris Ash. Other position coaches include QB coach Bo Hardegree and the retention of WR coach Edgar Bennett. The team also reportedly has hired Tom McMahon as special teams coordinator.
DJ Mangas won’t be with LSU when they play in the Texas Bowl.
Another staffing move has been made for the LSU Tigers by head coach Brian Kelly. According to Bruce Feldman, the new head coach has let go of passing game coordinator DJ Mangas. Mangas was an offensive analyst under Ed Orgeron in 2019 and left for the Carolina Panthers with Joe Brady. He returned for the 2021 season as passing game coordinator with offensive coordinator Jake Peetz.
Mangas was in charge of play calls on third down in passing situations but now Kelly has opted to promote an analyst in his place. Carter Sheridan spent time with the New Orleans Saints as an analyst. He will be working with the wide receivers as they prepare for the Kansas State Wildcats in the Texas Bowl.
This will remove one part of the playcalling and leave it entirely up to Peetz. It seemed like a weird dynamic to have two different coordinators calling plays for the offense.
SOURCE: Brian Kelly has let go of LSU passing game coordinator DJ Mangas. Carter Sheridan, an analyst and former Saints staffer, has been bumped up to work with the Tigers WRs for the bowl game vs. K-State.
There has been no word at this point as to whether or not Peetz will return to the staff in 2022 as the offensive coordinator. Brian Kelly likely still weighing his options and won’t make a decision until after the early signing period comes to an end. Perhaps it could wait until after bowl season when other teams wrap up their season.
Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.
The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman is reporting that former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan is taking a position at LSU as their passing game coordinator.
The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman is reporting that former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan is taking a position at LSU as their passing game coordinator.
Linehan was with the Lions under coach Jim Schwartz from 2009 through the 2013 seasons and was quarterback Matthew Stafford’s first offensive coordinator as a professional.
SOURCES: #LSU is hiring former #Vikings#Dolphins#Lions and #Cowboys OC Scott Linehan as the Tigers new passing game coordinator. Linehan has coached several prolific QB/WR combinations in his NFL career.
Linehan organized his vertical offense to rely on Stafford’s big arm but he also heavily leaned on future Hall-of-Famer (maybe as soon as the next cycle) Calvin Johnson.
In their third season together (and finally healthy) Linehan orchestrated Stafford’s only 5,000-yard passing season in 2011, while Johnson’s career year came the following season in 2012 when he caught 122 passes for 1964-yards receiving.
Linehan will take over at the defending National Champion LSU Tigers for Joe Brady who accepted an offensive coordinator position with the Carolina Panthers.
Last season, Brady and Steve Ensminger — LSU’s offensive coordinator — made a formidable duo designing and calling plays for the Tigers, producing one of the best offenses in college football.
After a couple weeks of reports, Texas put an end to their OC search. The Longhorns have officially hired Ohio State PGC Mike Yurcich.
After a couple weeks of reports and speculation, Texas finally put an end to their offensive coordinator search. The Longhorns have officially hired Ohio State passing game coordinator Mike Yurcich. He also spent six seasons with Oklahoma State as their offensive coordinator.
Here is the official announcement from the Texas football Twitter account:
One day after Yurcich’s Buckeyes lost in the College Football Playoff semi-final to Clemson, he is hired by the Longhorns. Texas removed Tim Beck from the OC position after the season finale against Texas Tech. Also hiring Chris Ash as the defensive coordinator, the Longhorns will have new guys running both sides of the ball next season.
Before the season ends, Texas will face off against Utah in the Alamo Bowl on New Year’s Eve.
There have been reports that Mike Yurcich will be taking over the offense starting next season. Here is why he will be a success at Texas.
Shortly after ending the season with a win over Texas Tech, the Longhorns got rid of a few coaches and one of those was offensive coordinator Tim Beck. There was speculation of LSU’s Joe Brady and USC’s Graham Harrell taking over, but both of them seem set to stay at their respective schools. While it has not been confirmed by the school yet, there have been reports that Mike Yurcich will be taking over the offense starting next season.
Currently at Ohio State, he has spent most of his D1 coaching career as the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State. Wherever he has gone, he has been apart of some electrifying offenses, producing stars at all of the skill positions. Even with his past, the question becomes: Can it translate to success at Texas? Was he the right hire for the Longhorns? While it may not be the flashiest name, Yurcich is going to have great success in Austin. Here is why.
Yurcich’s first big-time job was actually in the Big 12, spending time as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Oklahoma State. Running the offense from 2013 to 2018, the Cowboys were flying on offense, averaging 38 points or more per game in every season but 2014.
One thing a Mike Yurcich offense had in his final three seasons in Stillwater was over or near a 4,000-yard passer and a 1,000-yard rusher. Mason Rudolph and Justice Hill balled out in 2016 and 2017, only behind in Oklahoma in most offensive stats. With more traditional pocket passers like Rudolph and Tayler Cornelius, the Pokes were able to sling the ball around the field.
Something else that worked well at the beginning of his time with Oklahoma State was running with the quarterback. In 2013, between Clint Chelf and J.W. Walsh, the two quarterbacks ran for a total of 663 yards. Against the Longhorns in 2013, Chelf killed Texas on the ground, rushing for 95 yards on 10 attempts while adding two touchdowns. With a dual-threat quarterback like Sam Ehlinger or any of the guys behind him, running the quarterback could become a big part of the offense.
When a quarterback that can run has an elite level running back to compliment them, they become that much more dangerous. That is exactly what happened this season during Yurcich’s one season at Ohio State. While he was not the offensive coordinator, he still played a huge part in the offense as the passing game coordinator. With Justin Fields under center, J.K. Dobbins elevated his game to a whole new level.
Running the read option with those two is nearly unguardable, as you lose either way. You cover Fields, one of the best running backs in the country is getting the ball. If you cover Dobbins, the former No. 1 recruit in the country is going to blow right by you. The system ran by the Buckeyes is something Yurcich can bring over and implement in Austin.
The run game will be huge for the Longhorns next season as two of the best receivers of the decade in Devin Duvernay and Collin Johnson will be leaving for the NFL. Sam Ehlinger will remain at quarterback and we have seen what he can do running the ball, having 1,453 career rushing yards in his three years. The only question will be who will be the main running back to compliment Ehlinger?
Running back was a weird position for Texas this season, using third-string quarterback Roschon Johnson with Keaontay Ingram. Ingram will be back for his junior year, but two five-star caliber running backs will also be competing for touches. After spending the 2019 season injured, Jordan Whittington is scheduled to be back next season, ready to make an impact.
Possibly an even bigger player will be five-star running back Bijan Robinson. Coming in with the 2020 class, he has the opportunity to be a player than can turn around this Longhorn program.
Past Ehlinger, players like Casey Thompson, Roschon Johnson, Hudson Card, and Ja’Quinden Jackson all will be competing for the starting job in 2021. All five of those guys are considered dual-threat quarterbacks and can continue to run a similar type of offense. With freshman running backs like Whittington and Robinson, the future is bright in the backfield.
If the same offense that Ohio State runs is implemented to this Texas team, it has a chance to become one of the best in the country. Fields and Dobbins are excellent players, making it as Heisman finalists, and it may be difficult to replicate exactly what they do. However, the Longhorns will have highly skilled guys to replicate what they are doing.
Yurcich has run different types of offenses as the offensive coordinator with Oklahoma State and as the passing game coordinator with Ohio State. Finding success in with pocket passers and dual-threat quarterbacks, no matter who Texas has under center, they will be set up for success. Getting players at running back and wide receiver to make the explosive plays is the only question.
If the Longhorns become anything like the Cowboys or Buckeyes on offense, they could push towards the level they expect to be at.
Ohio State PGC Mike Yurcich was the top candidate for the Longhorns’ OC position and now he will be named to the position next week.
After reporting that Ohio State passing game coordinator Mike Yurcich was the top candidate for the Longhorns’ offensive coordinator position, Brett McMurphy is now reporting that he will be named to the position next week. Currently at the Fiesta Bowl for the College Football Playoff with Ohio State, Yurcich would not comment on the position and said his focus is “100% on Clemson.”
Ohio State passing game coordinator Mike Yurcich, the top candidate for Texas OC job, expected to be named Horns’ OC next week, sources told @Stadium. At Thursday’s @Fiesta_Bowl availability, Yurcich wouldn’t comment on Texas & told me his “focus is 100 percent on Clemson.”
Demoting Tim Beck at the end of the season, Texas will be without an offensive coordinator during their bowl game against Utah. If the Buckeyes beat Clemson, it is not known if Yurcich will stay with the team during preparation for the national championship.
Ohio State’s passing game has been one of the best in the country this season, with quarterback Justin Fields traveling to New York City for the Heisman ceremony. Currently at 2,953 passing yards, Fields is a dual-threat quarterback as he also has 471 rushing yards. A total of 50 touchdowns, Yurcich will be dealing with another dual-threat quarterback in Sam Ehlinger.
According to Brett McMurphy, Ohio State’s passing game coordinator Mike Yucich is the top candidate to become the next OC for Texas.
According to Brett McMurphy of Stadium, Ohio State’s passing game coordinator Mike Yucich is the top candidate to become the next offensive coordinator for Texas. If he were to be hired, Yucich would remain with the Buckeyes for the rest of the season, as they are set to face off against Clemson in the College Football playoff.
If the deal with Yurcich falls through, McMurphy is also reporting that current Minnesota offensive coordinator would be a possibility. The Gophers are scheduled to play Auburn in the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day.
Ohio State passing game coordinator Mike Yurcich is leading candidate to become new OC at Texas, sources told @Stadium. If Yurcich is hired at Texas, he would remain with Buckeyes thru @CFBPlayoff. Minnesota OC Kirk Ciarrocca also possibility for UT OC job, source said
Yurchich has experience in the Big 12, as he was the offensive coordinator for Oklahoma State from 2013-2018. Also serving as the quarterbacks coach, he has worked with players like Mason Rudolph and Tyler Cornelius during his time in Stillwater. Moving onto Ohio State in 2019, he has worked with Justin Fields as the passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
This would be an excellent hire for the Longhorns as Yurchich has experience working with some excellent offenses. Working with some great quarterbacks, Sam Ehlinger would hopefully be able to make a jump with Yurchich coaching him. If the Longhorns offense looks like anything Oklahoma State did during the past few years, they should be one of the most explosive units in the entire conference.
