Brown: “I want to thank you for your attendance. We’re here to formally introduce Zac (Taylor) as the new Bengals coach. I have to admit, we’ve been delayed. The league rules require that. These aren’t bad rules, they’re good rules. You have two teams that are in conflict over one coach, who has to give his loyalty to two different sides. This is a way of managing that conflict, but it does result in a delay, which is uncomfortable for us. On the other hand, I want to thank the Rams, especially Sean (L.A. Rams head coach Sean McVay), who was so good with how he conducted this matter. It can easily go sideways. The two teams aren’t comfortable and they complain about each other, but there was none of that in this negotiation. I want to say to the Rams, ‘Thank you for how you handled it.’ We have in attendance here Zac’s family — his wife, Sarah, and his two boys are here, Brooks and Luke. The two little girls — Emma Claire, who is three, and little Milly, who is nine months, but has a very fast four-point jog, have gone somewhere where they have their quietness with them and left us here. Also here are Zac’s parents, Sherwood and Julie, and his sister, Quincy. This has to be a proud moment for them.
“The search for our new coach was something that was carried out by the family group: Paul Brown, Katie Blackburn, myself, Troy Blackburn — Katie’s husband who’s not here today unfortunately — and Duke (Tobin). Duke was the one who headed this up. It took a lot of effort, a lot of doing, and I want to credit him. He arranged for I think nine separate interviews. At the end, all of us were in agreement that Zac was the best fit. If you have questions on how that worked, you can feel free at the appropriate time to ask Duke, and he’s here to answer any questions along those lines.
“Zac is a guy who grew up on the offensive side of the ball. That’s where he coached throughout his career. He was a quarterback in college, so he thinks in that way. That’s the trend in the National Football League these days, and we’ll be following that trend. He’s also a young man to be a head coach in the National Football League — he’s in his mid-30s. But I think back, and my father (Paul Brown) was in his 30s when he started as an NFL or pro coach with the old Browns. I think of others that were young then when they were coaches. Of course, you have the head coach of the Rams, who is even younger than Zac. If you check the history books, I think (former Bears head coach) George Halas had to be in his 20s when he did this kind of work. But these young guys are energetic, open-minded, up with the trends, open to new ideas, and they listen. I think that’s a good thing.
Taylor: “Thank you. Well, this is very exciting. It’s a lifelong dream of mine to be a head coach at the highest level and for a franchise like this. I’m grateful for the opportunity. I’m excited to put in some hard work and bring great things to the Cincinnati Bengals franchise. My wife and I lived here three years ago. We fell in love with this city, and we are thrilled to be back. I grew up in a football family, and I’m excited to join another family that grew up the same way. Paul Brown was a pioneer in football, and I look forward to working hand-in-hand with his family.
“I’d like to thank Mike Brown, Paul Brown Jr., Katie Blackburn, Troy Blackburn, who’s not here today, and Duke Tobin. From the moment I met them in our first interview, I felt a connection and I knew this was going to be the place for me and the franchise for me. I’m thankful that they felt the same way. We share the same vision, we’ve been aligned from the beginning, and I look forward to working hand-in-hand with them as we go forward.
“I’d also like to thank the Rams organization — Stan Kroenke (L.A. Rams owner/chairman), Les Snead (L.A. Rams general manager), Kevin Demoff (L.A. Rams executive vice president), and most importantly, Sean McVay. Sean gave me an opportunity two years ago and was outstanding to me. Everybody knows that he’s a great football coach, but hopefully everybody knows that he’s a rare human as well, and an even better person. I’m glad I had those two years with that franchise. The assistant coaches there, I formed great relationships with. They have a great staff. Those guys all taught me something, and I’ll be forever indebted to them. The players I was able to coach, I’m appreciative that they let us coach them hard, and that’s why they were playing in a championship most recently. Particularly that quarterback room, led by Jared Goff and the receiver room two years ago, led by (Rams wide receivers coach) Eric Yarber and all those guys. They’re just great players that made a big impact on me and the way that I’ll coach going forward.
“I’d also like to thank my wife, Sarah, and my kids, Brooks and Luke. She’s a rock star. This is about her 1000th move in the last five years, and she handles it better than anybody. My two boys, they’re ready to roll and they’re excited as anybody could possibly be. Brooks is most excited to play Madden and learn all these news players for the Bengals — that’s kind of his deal. My daughters, like Mr. Brown said — Emma Claire and Milly are upstairs so they wouldn’t be too loud. My parents are here — Julie and Sherwood Taylor — from Norman, Oklahoma. They’ve been my biggest supporting cast throughout my whole life. My dad taught me the game, and my mom, Julie, has been my biggest fan. She’s always had a lot of confidence in me, sometimes too much. I remember before my senior year in college, she told me, ‘Zac, I know you’re going to win the Heisman Trophy.’ I didn’t even come close. I’m sorry to disappoint you, mom (laughs). Hopefully today I can make up for that by being a head coach in the NFL. My sister, Quincy, thank you for all of your love and support. My sister, Kathryn, she’s at home right now. Trust me, she’d be entertaining this room if she was here at this moment. My brother, Press, he’s with the Eagles, so he couldn’t make it out today, but I appreciate him. He’s been a big supporter of me, and he’s somebody I can go to for advice. As another colleague in this profession, I think highly of him. I wish he could be here today, but unfortunately he has work to do. I’d also like to thank Mike Sherman, my father-in-law, who really got me into coaching. He gave me my first job, he taught me how to coach, and he’s been a helpful hand for me throughout any time I need advice, even as recent as this morning. He’s always been someone that’s there for me, someone I can bounce ideas off of, and I’m appreciative of him.
“Moving forward, we will establish a culture of high standards and clear communication, on and off the field. We’re talking meetings, walk-throughs, practice, everything. These players want to be held to the highest standard, and we’re going to do that. They’re going to be excited to walk into this building every day. This staff is going to bring energy. Everyone who affects these players is going to have a great presence about him, and we’re all going to be on the same page with a shared vision. These players will be fired up to see what’s in store for them every single day they walk through these doors. We’re going to be a connected team. This business and this sport is all about the people, and we want people that are all pulling on the same rope, with the shared vision. Like Mr. Brown said, we all want to get this thing to the top, and we want to play at the highest level. We want to bring great things to this city and to this franchise. We do that by having a connected team and everyone in this building being on the same page and sharing the same vision, and we will accomplish that. I think everybody wants to be a part of something that’s bigger than themselves. When we get the right players and the right coaches, and everyone on the same page, which we already have and will continue to do. It’s more important that they’re helping the people that are to their left and to their right accomplish something bigger than trying to help themselves — that’s when we’re going to accomplish all of the things we want to accomplish as an organization. We’ll be on that track very quickly.
There was a mention of a connection during the interview process. By all accounts, you hit it out of the park in your interview with the organization. What was it that you might have imparted to them, or they imparted to you? What was the catalyst for that communication?
You mentioned that you’re searching for staff members. Being that you’re basically the last head coach in the league to get a job, is it tough because there are fewer options out there right now?
Why did you feel like you were ready to become a head coach at this point in your career?
I know it’s early, but what excites you the most about this roster, specifically the offense and what you think you can do with this team?
You mentioned culture a couple of times. What are a couple of the key components of the culture you’re talking about?
Mike, Marvin Lewis said here that he felt like it was just time. For you, why was this time for you to move on from Marvin, bring in a new, young staff and go in such a different direction?
Duke, in the course of an interview process like this, do you pepper a candidate with scenarios — down and distance situations, timeouts, game clock, and personnel?
At the age of 35, you’re a football lifer. Who other than your immediate family had an influence on your vision of the game?
What’s the biggest impact a head coach should have on his team?
How do you establish your culture or change the culture in Cincinnati?
The fact is that you saw Sean McVay succeed. So what do you take away from him?
How do you deal with the highs and lows of being a head coach in the NFL?
Do you have any sort of sense that you need to win the fan base back entering this job?
What is your vision for the defense?
Other than your family and coaches you have been with, who are some other people you admire?
It is reported that Bengals special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons is returning. Are you in a position to talk about any of your coaching staff?
What are your impressions of Bengals QB Andy Dalton, and does he fit your system?
What’s the next step — finishing the coaching staff, or evaluating the roster?
Does it feel like you’re already pressed for time with free agency a month away?
Is it safe to say the offense will look similar to the Los Angeles Rams?
Have you thought about the players you have here in Cincinnati and how it matches up with the style from L.A.?
Can you talk about the disappointment of the Super Bowl loss, and how difficult it is to already turn the page to a new chapter?