FOXBORO — The Patriots’ offensive coaching staff is filled with assistants who are probably overqualified for their positions.
One of those assistants is passing game coordinator/tight ends coach Thomas Brown, who has been an offensive coordinator and interim head coach in previous stops.
Brown was included on NFL media’s head coaching candidates list Thursday.
The 39-year-old assistant is focused on the here-and-now, but also said becoming a head coach is an eventual goal.
“It’s always humbling and extremely appreciative to have your name mentioned in any positive light,” Brown said Thursday. “Also just means that you’re probably a part of a successful organization and team. I think when it comes to players and coaches, when a team has success, you have a chance to get some individual highlights.
“My focus always has and will remain on how do we continue to improve week in and week out? Because I’m a firm believer in being where your feet are. So anything that’s future-based will always be depending on how you maximize the time for the day. And time is the most valuable resource that we have, and we oftentimes take it for granted. So I’m just trying to maximize every opportunity every day and keep making these guys better.”
Brown began last season as the Bears’ passing game coordinator. He was promoted to offensive coordinator after Shane Waldron was fired and then promoted again to interim head coach after Matt Eberflus was fired.
He said about the experience that it was “a lot of different emotions for a number of different reasons.”