CHARLOTTE – Thomas Brown's leadership style is a product of his surroundings, and he attributed much of that to his parents.
In his first press conference Thursday since becoming the Panthers' offensive coordinator, Brown credited his father, who he's named after, as the best leader he knew. Brown's father is a bishop in a Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and his mother's a retired schoolteacher, and he said his personality strikes a balance between the two of them.
"I think I was raised to be a leader before I even knew I was going to become one," Brown said. "Just watching (my father), how he dealt with people, never being rattled. And being honest, it's something I've modeled myself after.
"We are different, but I'm kind of a combination of my father and also my mother. The aggressive side, at times, I will say the argumentative side is from my mom. … It's a good thing. She's a great debater. So I'm a really good balance of both."
On the football side, Brown credited Marcus Satterfield at Chattanooga, Bill Legg at Marshall, Bryan McClendon at South Carolina, and Mark Richt from his time at Georgia and Miami (Fla.) as influential figures in his development as a coach.
"It's kind of an effort about everywhere I've been from a production standpoint," Brown said. "But also just putting my own stamp on it as well."
– Assistant head coach/running backs coach Duce Staley also met with the media for the first time, discussing what excited him about taking the Panthers' job after his stint with the Lions.
"It's all about grit," Staley said. "I just left a team – Detroit – where it was about grit. I see a bunch of hungry men, and I can't wait to get out there with them and go to war with them. When it comes to coaching, it's a couple of things. Number one, putting them in a position to make plays. That's number one.
"Number two is getting them to run through a brick wall with me and not for me. Because I'm going to be the first one to run through the brick wall. I'm going to lead the charge. And then after that, show them that I love them. You can't go to war with these men unless you show them that you love them."
Staley, who said he was in the room for some of the Panthers' assistant coaching interviews, said everyone on head coach Frank Reich's staff had those traits in common.
"Frank will tell you this, we all have something in common," Staley said. "And that's grit, to get these young men better, and to love them. Because today, you've got to have all three in order to go out there, go to war, and ask them to do something each and every day that they believe in, that we believe in. You've got to have love."
– In the week before the combine, Staley dove into the history behind his combine drill.
The Duce Staley drill for running backs has been used since 2020, and it tests a runner's ability to change direction in a small space. The drill is set up with three bags on the ground to form the shape of a letter T. Players step over the bags from the left side at first, then finish the drill in reverse before running up the field on either the right or left based on where a coach is lined up. Staley referred to it as "The T drill."
Staley said the drill started when he coached LeSean McCoy in Philadelphia, looking to challenge the running back with "some of the quickest feet" he has seen.
"He was like, 'Man, you've got to get something that's going to challenge me.' He was a little cocky, and I loved it," Staley said. "So I went back and started looking at certain things. … I put the T drill out there, and probably for the first week, he tripped over it every time. So I was just laughing. Sooner or later, when you have an athlete like that, he mastered it."
Staley has 12 years of NFL coaching experience, including assistant positions with the Eagles (2011-20) and Lions (2021-22).
Detroit Lions assistant head coach/running backs Duce Staley on the sideline against the Baltimore Ravens during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Philadelphia Eagles' Duce Staley (22) is tackled by Carolina Panthers' Ricky Manning Jr (24) after a long gain in the second quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Philadelphia Eagles running backs coach Duce Staley, right, works with running back Darren Sproles (43) on the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Detroit Lions assistant HC/RB coach Duce Staley talks with running back Jamaal Williams (30) before an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Detroit Lions on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Detroit Lions running backs D'Andre Swift (32) and Jamaal Williams (30) talk with assistant head coach and running backs coach Duce Staley during an NFL football practice in Allen Park, Mich., Thursday, June 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions assistant head coach Duce Staley watches against the Seattle Seahawks during an NFL football game in Detroit, Monday, Oct. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions assistant head coach and running backs coach Duce Staley gives directions during an NFL football practice in Allen Park, Mich., Thursday, June 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions assistant head coach and running backs coach Duce Staley watches during a preseason NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Detroit, Friday, Aug. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions assistant head coach and running backs coach Duce Staley talks before an NFL football practice in Allen Park, Mich., Thursday, June 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Philadelphia Eagles' Jay Ajayi, left, and coach Duce Staley react during warm-ups before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Philadelphia Eagles running backs coach Duce Staley, right, works from the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly, left, and running backs coach Duce Staley watch warm-ups before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Philadelphia Eagles' Duce Staley watches warm ups before a preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Philadelphia Eagles assistant head coach and running backs coach Duce Staley speaks with members of the media at the NFL football team's practice facility in Philadelphia, Monday, June 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz, right, and Duce Staley smile before a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Philadelphia Eagles running backs coach Duce Staley watches warm-ups before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Duce Staley (22) runs past Carolina Panthers linebacker Adam Seward (59) for three yards to the Carolina 9-yard line during the second quarter of preseason NFL football action Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Philadelphia Eagles special team quality control coach Duce Staley, right, talks to running back LeSean McCoy (25) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 24-23. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Philadelphia Eagles running backs coach Duce Staley, right, talks with DeMarco Murray during organized team activities at the NFL football team's practice facility, Monday, June 8, 2015, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphis Eagles running back Duce Staley (22) celebrates the Eagles 33-19 win over the Chicago Bears Saturday, Jan. 19, 2002, in a NFC Divisional Playoff game in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
Former Philadelphia Eagles running back and coaching intern Duce Staley, left, blocks wide receiver Jason Avant during the morning session of NFL football training camp at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Pittsburgh Steelers' running back Duce Staley stretches during the first day of drills at the teams training camp in Latrobe, Pa. on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2005. Veteran running back Jerome Bettis expected to take it easy this season, letting Staley take most of the carries to stay fresh for the postseason. But less than a week into camp, Staley is hurting again, creating the possibility that Bettis could be in for another long season. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers' running back Duce Staley (22) drops back to pass with quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger,(7) Shane Boyd (8) and Charlie Batch, right, at the practice field at the team training facility in Latrobe, Pa. ,on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2006. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Duce Staley (22) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars' Daryl Smith, during the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Steelers won, 17-16. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Brady Poppinga (51) watches as Pittsburgh Steelers running back Duce Staley (22) scores on a 3-yard touchdown run during the fourth quarter Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005, in Green Bay, Wis. The Steelers won 20-10. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Duce Staley does drills during the first day of football mini-camp at the team facility in Pittsburgh on Saturday, May, 13, 2006. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Duce Staley (22) is stopped by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Marcus Wilkins near the goal line in the first quarter in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2004. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Duce Staley, a Philadelphia Eagle last season, is caught by linebacker Mark Simoneau (53) after a 6-yard gain in the first quarter of a preseason game Thursday, Aug. 26, 2004, in Philadelphia. Blocking is Steelers guard Alan Faneca. (AP Photo/George Widman)
FILE Pittsburgh Steelers running back Duce Staley runs in the pre-season game against the Minnesota Vikings in Pittsburgh in this Aug. 19, 2006 file photo. Staley was on pace a couple of years ago for one of the best seasons by a Steelers running back. When the Steelers wrap up their exhibition schedule Thursday, AUg. 31, 2006 against Carolina, Staley might be playing to remain with the team. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Philadelphia Eagles' Duce Staley (22) dives from the grasp of Dallas Cowboys' Leonardo Carson (91) to run in a touchdown in the third quarter Sunday, Dec. 7, 2003, in Philadelphia. At rear is Cowboys' Kenyon Coleman (93) and Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Duce Staley, left, dashes past Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Madieu Williams for 15 yards in the fourth quarter of Pittsburgh's 28-17 win in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2004. Staley rushed for 123 yards on 25 carries. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Duce Staley celebrates his second quarter touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during their NFC playoff game Sunday, Jan. 11, 2004, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Gardner)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Duce Staley celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2002 in Philadelphia. Staley ran for two touchdowns in the Eagles' 35-17 win. (AP Photo/Chris Gardner)
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid, left, celebrates their 27-25 win win over the Washington Redskins with running back Duce Staley Sunday, Oct. 5, 2003, in Philadelphia. The Eagles won their first game in their new stadium.(AP Photo/Chris Gardner)
Philadelphia Eagles' Duce Staley (22) runs around the block by teammate Jemane Mayberry (71) on Arizona Cardinals' Ronald McKinnon (57) in the third quarter at Sun Devil Stadium in Phoenix, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2001. The Eagles won 21-7. (AP Photo/John Miller)
Philadelphia Eagles' running back Duce Staley (22) completes a 27-yard pass play as San Diego Chargers' saftey Rodney Harrison (37) defends in the first quarter in Philadelphia Sunday, Dec. 9, 2001. The play set up an Eagles touchdown. (AP Photo/George Widman)
