Who is Thomas Brown? Everything we know about Bears' interim HC

The Chicago Bears promoted Thomas Brown to the interim head coach position on Black Friday, firing head coach Matt Eberflus after a 4-8 start. This change follows a Thanksgiving clash against the Detroit Lions, in which the Bears bungled a potential comeback, running out of clock in the final moments.

The Bears' decision came after a series of heartbreaking losses. Each of their last three games was decided by seven points or less.

Thomas Brown's rise is a testament to his coaching versatility. He has transformed from a passing game co-ordinator to the team's interim leader in less than three weeks.

NFL: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears - Source: Imagn

Before coaching, Brown was a formidable SEC football player. At the University of Georgia, he rushed for 2,646 yards and 23 touchdowns in 40 career games. His freshman year was particularly impressive — 875 yards and eight touchdowns earned him Freshman All-SEC honors in 2004.

The NFL draft saw Brown being selected in the sixth round by the Atlanta Falcons in 2008. An injury prevented his rookie season play. This early setback didn't deter him. Instead, Brown pivoted towards coaching, building a remarkable career across multiple colleges and NFL teams.

Thomas Brown's coaching journey with continuous growth

NFL: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears - Source: Imagn

Thomas Brown coached running backs at several colleges, including Chattanooga, Marshall, Wisconsin and Georgia. His NFL breakthrough came with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 as a running backs coach.

Under Sean McVay, Brown's career accelerated quickly. By the next season, he became an assistant head coach. The Rams' Super Bowl LVI victory in 2022 further elevated his profile. He even transitioned from running backs to tight ends coaching during his Rams tenure.

In 2023, Thomas Brown joined the Carolina Panthers as offensive coordinator under Frank Reich. He won his first play-calling game, helping rookie Bryce Young defeat C.J. Stroud's Texans 15-13. The NFLPA even voted him the No. 2 offensive coordinator that year.

In his three games as offensive coordinator for the Bears in 2023, Brown showed promise. Caleb Williams averaged 275.6 passing yards per contest, throwing five touchdowns without an interception. The Bears lost those games, but they were close — decided by just three points each time.

This interim role is Brown's most significant career opportunity. He'll aim to showcase his ability to develop Williams and energize a talented Bears roster. His strategy emphasizes quick throws, designed roll-outs and strategic deep passes.

Brown could transform from interim coach to the Bears' permanent leader with five weeks to prove himself.