Dan Pitcher is in his 11th season on the Bengals' coaching staff in 2026, and his third as offensive coordinator. He previously coached QBs from 2020-23.
In 2025, Pitcher helped the Bengals rank sixth in the NFL in net passing yards per game (235.6) and second in red zone TD percentage (66.7 percent). He worked with three different starting QBs, including 18th-year veteran Joe Flacco, who was acquired in a trade in early October and spent the following six games behind center for Cincinnati. In his stint as the team's starting QB from Weeks 6-12, Flacco ranked second in the league in completions (154) and tied for third in TD passes (13). Following QB Joe Burrow's return to action in Week 13, Pitcher helped guide the Bengals to top-10 league rankings in scoring (sixth; 27.7 points) and total yards (fourth; 369.7).
Pitcher in 2025 also worked with WR Ja'Marr Chase, who finished third in the NFL in receptions (125) and fourth in receiving yards (1412), and third-year HB Chase Brown, who posted his first career 1000-yard rushing season (1019).
In 2024, Pitcher's first season as offensive coordinator, he helped Cincinnati lead the NFL in passing yards per game (272.9) for the second time in team history (1975). Burrow led the NFL and set Bengals single-season records in completions (460), passing yards (4918) and TD passes (43), earning him his second AP Comeback Player of the Year award. Chase became the youngest player in the Super Bowl era to claim the "Triple Crown," as he led all players in catches (127), receiving yards (1708) and receiving TDs (17).
In 2023, Pitcher worked with backup QB Jake Browning as he stepped into the starting role for the first time in his career following Burrow's season-ending injury in Game 10. Browning led Cincinnati to a 4-3 record as a starter, and over the final seven weeks of the regular season he ranked second leaguewide in passing yards (1868) and completion percentage (70.4).
In 2022, Pitcher helped Burrow earn his first career Pro Bowl selection, as he ranked in the top five in the NFL in completions (fifth; 414) and TD passes (tied for second; 35).
In 2021, Burrow was named the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year after leading the league in completion percentage (70.4) and setting a then-team record for passing yards (4611). Working with Pitcher, he helped the Bengals win the AFC North Division, then passed for 1105 yards and five TDs in Cincinnati's postseason run to Super Bowl LVI.
In 2020, Pitcher helped transition Burrow, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, to the pro level despite the absence of an in-person offseason program due to COVID-19. Prior to his season-ending injury in Game 10, Burrow's 264 completions were the most ever by a QB through their first 10 career starts (now second).
Pitcher spent the 2019 season as assistant quarterbacks coach, after serving as an offensive assistant with a focus on QBs in '18 and an offensive assistant with a focus on WRs in '16-17. In 2018, he helped QB Andy Dalton throw 21 TD passes in 11 games before a thumb injury ended his season. During Pitcher's first season with the Bengals in 2016, he worked with rookie WR Tyler Boyd and veteran free agent acquisition Brandon LaFell, as the pair combined for 118 catches, 1465 yards and seven TDs.
Prior to joining the Bengals, Pitcher spent four seasons in player personnel roles with the Indianapolis Colts. He served as a pro scout from 2014-15, after working as a scouting assistant from '12-13.
With Pitcher on staff, the Colts compiled a 41-23 regular-season record (.641), with three playoff berths and two AFC South championships. Pitcher's responsibilities included advance scouting and evaluation of free agents.
Pitcher began his post-playing career in 2012, coaching wide receivers at his alma mater, Cortland State (now known as SUNY Cortland), a part of New York's state university system. He spent 2009-11 as Cortland State's starting QB, and as a senior he was named a finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy, presented annually to the most outstanding Division III football player.
Pitcher was born in Cortland, N.Y. on Jan. 13, 1987. He received his bachelor's degree in psychology from Cortland State in 2010 and his master's in sports management in '11. He and wife Marissa have a son, Oliver.
Playing, scouting and coaching history: 2008-11—Played QB at SUNY Cortland. 2012—Assistant coach (AC), SUNY Cortland. 2012-13—Scouting assistant, Indianapolis Colts. 2014-15—Pro scout, Indianapolis Colts. 2016-23—AC, Cincinnati Bengals. 2024-present—Offensive coordinator, Bengals.
