The Washington Commanders’ search for an offensive coordinator continued Tuesday as the team conducted an interview with Los Angeles Rams tight ends coach Thomas Brown, making him the fifth candidate to be interviewed for the position.
Brown, 36, is seen as a fast-rising talent and has drawn interest around the league. The former running back interviewed with the Houston Texans for their head coaching vacancy and he’s set to speak with the Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday for their offensive coordinator opening.
Commanders coach Ron Rivera has said he wants Washington to have a run-first identity, and Brown comes from one of the more creative offenses in the league. Under Sean McVay, the Rams utilize a zone-based running scheme in a variation of the West Coast offense. Brown previously served as the Rams’ running backs coach in 2020 and held that role until 2022, when he moved over to coach Los Angeles’ tight ends.
McVay also promoted Brown in 2021 — giving him the title of assistant head coach.
“He’s got such a unique, educated and impressive thought process as it relates to a lot of things outside of football,” McVay told reporters last summer. “That’s why he’s also the assistant head coach. I heavily lean on him with some things where he runs some leadership group meetings. He has a great pulse for the team.”
Brown, a 2008 sixth-round back out of Georgia, spent two-plus seasons in the NFL, but never appeared in a regular season game. He began coaching in 2011 and spent nine years in the college ranks for six programs.
So far the Commanders have interviewed former Giants coach Pat Shurmur, Washington quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese, Falcons quarterbacks coach Charles London, Miami Dolphins running backs coach Eric Studesville and Brown for the position.
The Commanders are in need of a new offensive coordinator after firing Scott Turner earlier this month.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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