Thomas Brown checking every box ahead of head coaching debut

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — A lot goes into being an NFL head coach and Thomas Brown is quickly learning about all the preparation required throughout game week as the leader of a football team.

Brown, 38, has already altered the weekly schedule that was previously in place under former head coach Matt Eberflus. Brown learned while he was with the Rams under Sean McVay when Brown was assistant head coach and tight ends coach.

“I think it’s a big influence,” Brown said of the Bears’ media access change. “Obviously I think Sean is one of the best in the business. Had an opportunity to talk to him a couple nights ago. Appreciate him reaching out to me. I learned a ton from him as far as, not just offensively but the really good stuff about being consistent, owning the room with your own personality — because, again, I’m gonna be myself in every room I walk in. But obviously leaning on the guys around me as far as what’s best for our football team.”

That obviously includes the coaches and assistants on Chicago’s staff. Brown has entrusted Chris Beatty with plenty of responsibilities. The former wide receivers coach was promoted to offensive coordinator after Brown was elevated as the interim head coach.

Beatty had experience with clock management duties at several colleges where he coached including Wisconsin when he and Brown were together. Beatty will tap into that experience to help Brown while he coaches from the sidelines.

“We kind of implemented a couple of things from a meeting standpoint to go over a few more scenarios and we also, on Wednesdays and Thursdays after our walk-through, we have a point of emphasis for offense, defense and special teams based on things that may have already come up before in the past, stuff from future and then Chris also does what we call a “situational masters presentation” on Fridays, which today was the first time he did that today,” Brown said. “It was about a 10-minute deal, presentation-wise, to talk about a couple of scenarios around the league. Then it’s just more about doing a really good job of staying poised and calm in the moment and being a decisive communicators.”

Brown will need to rely on Beatty to ensure those late-game clock management issues that have occurred in the past don’t resurface in these final five games of the 2024 regular season.

Also, Beatty will provide suggestions throughout the game so the team can try to be a play ahead, which wasn’t happening as efficiently in the past.

“Obviously we had some issues with that, so we’re going to try to streamline that a little bit to make that a little less hectic maybe on the headset and more a couple of heads getting together before everything happens as opposed to as it happens,” Beatty said. “So those things we’re trying to work through and fit those things in.”

The Bears interim head coach will be calling plays from the sideline, which differs from the last three weeks when he was in the box. However, Brown did call plays on the sideline when he got an opportunity to do so in Carolina.

When detailing the pros and cons of calling plays on the sideline, Brown mentioned it’s a personal preference and allows him to see the entire field. But being on the sideline does give him access to his players.

“It’s a player’s game,” Brown said. “The player interaction. I can be pretty calm at times but also I do have some emotion that I show at different times. To be able to have opportunities to meet with guys face to face, talk to them face to face in between plays, whether it be positive or to try to make some corrections, is a little bit different when it comes to being on the sideline face to face vs. in the box on the headset.”

Brown is doing everything he can to prepare for his head coaching debut against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium. The only thing he hasn’t worked on is the speech he”ll deliver before the game.

“Speech? Nah, I’m gonna wing it,” Brown said. “Just get up there and let it go (smiles). I think, you know, I believe in preparation, for sure. It has been a slow build throughout the week. I do have some talking points, but I don’t believe in wasting words. Also, when guys are in the right spot in the moment, less is more. As the week goes on, I talk less and the players talk more. And when it comes down to it, I’ll have a few things to say to the guys. I’m looking forward to this game. I’m excited about it.”

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