Cincinnati Bengals promote Dan Pitcher to offensive coordinator

The Cincinnati Bengals have their new offensive coordinator in former Bengals' quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher, the team announced Thursday.

“I’m excited for Dan and his opportunity to increase his role on our staff,” said head coach Zac Taylor. “He has excelled in his job of helping develop our quarterbacks over the past five years. He has been a top contributor to our scheme and that role will now increase. I look forward to seeing him continue to grow in this new position.”

After former offensive coordinator Brian Callahan was named head coach of the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday, the Bengals were in need of a new offensive coordinator. The Bengals interviewed at least one external candidate, in accordance with the NFL's required hiring process, but decided on Pitcher.

Pitcher is a 37-yard-old Cortland, New York native, who's been with the Bengals since 2016.

He spent the past four seasons as the team’s quarterbacks coach, after previously serving as assistant quarterbacks coach (2019) and offensive assistant (’16-18). Prior to joining the Bengals, he spent four seasons in player personnel roles with the Indianapolis Colts.

“I couldn’t be more excited and energized by this opportunity,” said Pitcher. “I love this organization and am so grateful to Mike Brown, the Brown and Blackburn families, Duke Tobin and Zac Taylor. That they see me fit for this responsibility means the world to me, and I will work tirelessly to provide every ounce of value I can to this team. My wife Marissa, son Oliver and I love that we get to continue our journey in this great city. Who Dey!”

The succession plan has been laid out for years now in terms of who would replace Callahan if he were to get a head coaching job. Pitcher is widely praised in the organization for his work with Joe Burrow and it's a key reason why he landed the job. The Saints, Patriots and Raiders all requested to interview Pitcher for their vacant offensive coordinator position.

“Our relationship is as good as it gets,” said Burrow. “I wouldn’t be the player I am today without him. He’s been preparing for this for years. He takes his job very seriously and does it with a lot of passion.”

Ultimately, the Bengals made an offer Pitcher couldn't refure and it now keeps him in Cincinnati working with Burrow for at least one more season.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bengals name Dan Pitcher to replace Brian Callahan as OC