These days it seems like there’s a solid mix in preferences between play-callers, both offensively and defensively. Some prefer to be on the sidelines where they can stand with their players, while others choose to sit upstairs in the booth to get a bird’s eye view of the field.
For example, Kyle Shanahan exclusively sat in the coaches box when he was the offensive coordinator for the Falcons. Since becoming the 49ers head coach, he’s obviously been on the sidelines while still calling plays. Shanahan’s replacement in Atlanta, Steve Sarkisian, initially called plays on the field and later moved up to the booth in hopes of a better view to aid his ailing play-calling.