Dan Pitcher is in his ninth season on the Bengals' coaching staff and his first as offensive coordinator. He previously coached the team's QBs from 2020-23.
In 2023, Pitcher worked with Pro Bowl QB Joe Burrow as he returned to full health following a calf injury sustained in training camp. When Burrow was in top form from Games 5-9, the Bengals ranked fourth in the NFL in passing yards per game (275.6), seventh in scoring (26.6 points) and 11th in total yards (354.2). Pitcher then helped backup QB Jake Browning step into the starting role for the first time in his career following Burrow's season-ending wrist injury in Game 10. Browning led the team to a 4-3 record as a starter, and he became the third NFL QB since 1950 to pass for at least 1500 yards and 10 TDs with a completion percentage of 70 or higher in his first seven starts. Over the final seven weeks of the regular season, Browning ranked second leaguewide in passing yards (1868) and completion percentage (70.4).
In 2022, Pitcher worked with Burrow as he set single-season team records for completions (414) and TD passes (35), which both ranked top-five leaguewide. He also ranked sixth in the NFL in passer rating (100.8) and was a finalist for NFL MVP while leading Cincinnati to its second straight AFC North Division title.
In 2021, Burrow led the NFL in completion percentage (70.4) and set team records for passing yards (4611) and passer rating (108.3). After missing the final six games of his rookie campaign in 2020 due to injury, Burrow was named the AP Comeback Player of the Year. With Pitcher's guidance, he steered the Bengals to their first division crown since 2015, then passed for 1105 yards and five TDs in the postseason to lead Cincinnati 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 knee injury in Game 10, Burrow's 264 completions were the most ever by a QB through their first 10 career starts, while his 2688 passing yards were fifth. Pitcher in 2020 helped three different Bengals starting QBs — Burrow, Brandon Allen and Ryan Finley — to wins, marking just the second time in team history that as many QBs have gotten into the win column (1984).
Pitcher served as assistant quarterbacks coach in 2019, and also was charged with leading the team's game clock management efforts. He spent the 2018 season as an offensive assistant with a focus on QBs, after serving as offensive assistant with a focus on WRs in '16-17.
In 2018, Pitcher helped guide QB Andy Dalton to 21 TD passes through 11 games before a thumb injury ended his season. The team then transitioned to QB Jeff Driskel, who tossed six TDs to just two INTs. In 2017, Pitcher worked with Pro Bowl WR A.J. Green, who recorded 1078 receiving yards.
In 2016, his first year in Cincinnati, Pitcher 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 was responsible for advance scouting reports on opponents, evaluation of free agents and monitoring rosters.
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 prestigious Gagliardi Trophy, presented annually to the most outstanding Division III football player.
Pitcher was born in Cortland, N.Y. on Jan. 13, 1987. He graduated from Cortland State with a bachelor's degree in psychology in 2010, and he earned a 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—Offensive coordinator, Bengals.
