Colts hire Rob Chudzinski as assistant HC

[bavanlan]

Just in case, ya know, Alex Mack was curious.

 

Mods edit: http://blogs.colts.com/2014/02/08/indianapolis-colts-hire-rob-chudzinski-as-special-assistant-to-the-head-coach/

 

The Indianapolis Colts today hired Rob Chudzinski as special assistant to the head coach.

 

“Rob and I have a long professional relationship and his résumé speaks for itself,” said Head Coach Chuck Pagano. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and will be a tremendous help to our entire team moving forward.  Needless to say, we’re excited to have ‘Chud’ joining our family.”

 

Pagano and Chudzinski previously spent eight seasons together in the collegiate and NFL ranks. Pagano served as a graduate assistant at the University of Miami (Fla.) during Chudzinski’s freshman year at the school in 1986. The two then coached the Hurricanes together from 1995-2000. After that, they spent the 2004 season together with the Cleveland Browns.

 

Chudzinski holds 20 years of coaching experience, including the last 10 seasons in the NFL. He most recently served as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns in 2013. Under Chudzinski, the Browns offense finished 18th in the NFL in total offense and 11th in passing yards, their highest finish since 1991. The team also finished ninth in total defense, marking their highest ranking since 1994. Cleveland recorded 40.0 sacks as a team and tied for the league lead with 16 total players with a sack.

 

Chudzinski coached five Pro Bowl and five Associated Press All-Pro selections in Cleveland, including wide receiver Josh Gordon, who became the first Browns player to lead the NFL in receiving yards (1,646). Gordon, who played in just 14 games, also recorded the 10th-most receiving yards in a season in NFL history. Tight end Jordan Cameron posted career highs with 80 receptions for 917 yards and seven touchdowns. His receiving yards ranked second among NFL tight ends in 2013, while his receptions total ranked third.

 

Prior to joining the Browns, Chudzinski spent two years (2011-12) as offensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers. In 2011, the team set club records for total yards (6,237) and first downs (345), one year after experiencing franchise lows in both categories. Carolina scored 48 touchdowns overall after recording 17 the year before his arrival. Chudzinski tutored quarterback Cam Newton, who became the first rookie in NFL history to throw for 4,000 yards, while setting an NFL record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback with 14 en route to being named the 2011 Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Panthers also became the first team in NFL history with three 700-yard rushers in DeAngelo Williams (836), Jonathan Stewart (761) and Newton (706).

 

Chudzinski had two stints with the San Diego Chargers, where he served as the assistant head coach/tight ends from 2009-2010 and tight ends coach from 2005-06. He tutored tight end Antonio Gates, who recorded both of his 1,000-yard receiving seasons under Chudzinski in 2005 and 2009.

 

From 2007-08, Chudzinski served as the offensive coordinator of the Browns. In 2007, the Browns scored 402 points and tallied 5,621 yards of total offense, both of which ranked as the third-most in franchise history. In addition, the team tied for seventh in the NFL in touchdowns and eighth in total offense after finishing 30th and 31st, respectively, the year prior.

 

Chudzinski began his NFL coaching career in 2004 as the Browns tight ends coach, where he worked with first-round draft choice Kellen Winslow. During the season, he was elevated to offensive coordinator for the final five games following Butch Davis’ resignation as head coach.

 

From 1994-2003, Chudzinski coached at his alma mater, the University of Miami (Fla.). He spent two seasons (1994-95) as a graduate assistant, five (1996-2000) as tight ends coach and three (2001-03) as offensive coordinator. During his three seasons as offensive coordinator, the Hurricanes compiled a record of 35-3 and played in a BCS Bowl Game every year, including two National Championship appearances. Chudzinski helped shape several future NFL Pro Bowlers, including Bubba Franks, Frank Gore, Andre Johnson, Willis McGahee, Bryant McKinnie, Clinton Portis, Jeremy Shockey and Kellen Winslow.

 

Chudzinski played tight end at Miami from 1986-1990, as he was a three-year starter and a member of two national championship teams (1987 and 1989). He graduated with a B.A. in business administration in 1990 and went on to earn his MBA in 1996. Chudzinski and his wife, Sheila, have two sons, Kaelan and Rian, and one daughter, Margaret.

Edited February 8, 2014 by MTC

[Dustin]

HC assistant for those wondering.

[RealityIsLuck]

At what coaching vacancy?

[RealityIsLuck]

HC assistant for those wondering.

thanks,

[chad72]

Link???

[Restored]

Wonder what exactly his role will be since its considered "special assistant to the HC". Every time I hear that type of title I think of an assistant to the President who ends up doing a billion things.

[GoColtsGo5150]

Source? If so- I like it.

[Blackhawk4]

“@MikeWellsNFL: The Colts have hired Rob Chudzinski as special assistant to the head coach.”

 

http://blogs.colts.com/

[chad72]

What does Trent Richardson have to say about that?

[BOTT]

"Hey Chuck, it makes sense to go for it here on 4th down" ~ Chud

[chad72]

"Hey Chuck, it makes sense to go for it here on 4th down" ~ Chud

 

Hey Chuck, lets see if we can trade Trent for a 2nd rounder to a team that will bite on it???

[NCost12]

TRich be like ...

[USAFHoosier]

He did think outside the box when be was an OC so could bring a few wrinkles to the offense.  I also believe Pep will get some interviews next year so could also be the OC in waiting... Just a thought.

[ColtJ82]

The first thought that went through my head 

 

He did think outside the box when be was an OC so could bring a few wrinkles to the offense.  I also believe Pep will get some interviews next year so could also be the OC in waiting... Just a thought.

The first thought that went through my head was this hire is in anticipation of Pep potentially leaving after the coming season.

[Smonroe]

Just in case, ya know, Alex Mack was curious.

Good one. We can only hope.

At first I thought we hired the underground cannibals...

[CanuckColt]

He did think outside the box when be was an OC so could bring a few wrinkles to the offense.  I also believe Pep will get some interviews next year so could also be the OC in waiting... Just a thought.

He could be the HC in waiting....gotta wonder what Pagano's health is like.

[IndyD4U]

He could be the HC in waiting....gotta wonder what Pagano's health is like.

Last I heard Pagano was A-OK, but you never know. Hope that's not the case

[rittdk01]

He could be the HC in waiting....gotta wonder what Pagano's health is like.

for real???

[bavanlan]

Good one. We can only hope.

At first I thought we hired the underground cannibals...

 

 

Our Chud keeps coming back too!

[coltsfanatic24]

This is a great hire. The Browns were in a lot of games that they shouldn't have been just didn't have a QB. This also will help us in free agency if we decide to go after Alex Mack. Chud was a good coach and most of the people around the NFL thought that he shouldn't have been fired. 

[K-148]

Awesome. What about Wade Phillips as a special defensive assistant to the HC?

[Boiler_Colt]

So he's taking the Dwight Shrute role of assistant to the regional manager?

[lennymoore24]

He did think outside the box when be was an OC so could bring a few wrinkles to the offense.  I also believe Pep will get some interviews next year so could also be the OC in waiting... Just a thought.

 

That was my first thought too. Pep will likely get interviews next year considering how Luck is going and with Allen and Wayne back.  So Chud could slide right in without too much changing hopefully.  I like Chud.  I thought it was a terrible move to fire him after one year.  And TRich hardly played for him.

[Deathiltis]

Love it.

[James Harden]

I like it. Lets just hope T-Rich like it too. 

[MTC]

Best move of the offseason. Ding ding ding.

[Rebelknight]

So he's taking the Dwight Shrute role of assistant to the regional manager?

Assistant to the assistant to the regional manager..

[Monster]

Great move & Hire!  Very good offensive mind, did a hell of a job with Cam Newton which obviously translate with Luck's skill set.

And could very possibly have a hand in whether or not we go after or get Alex Mack. Cleveland was dumb for letting him go, not really even giving him a chance.  I really like the pick up!

[dgambill]

Cleveland has tons of cap space...and only 7 FA. Mack ain't going anywhere imo.

[1yrdandacloudofdust]

Maybe he can get Trent to 3ypc

Manusky will be back?

[Beauregarde]

Hey Chuck, lets see if we can trade Trent for a 2nd rounder to a team that will bite on it???

I don't think they can ever get that much for him. In fact, he might not merit a low round draft pick now. Teams will just wait until the Colts finally admit they made a big mistake and cut him in a year or two but he won't have many takers even then. BUST!!

[Nobody]

Cleveland has tons of cap space...and only 7 FA. Mack ain't going anywhere imo.

Except he doesn't want to be in Cleveland and all the Browns fans I've talked to are sure he's gone. Although I doubt we'd sign him anyways.

[MTC]

1. This is great news for Fleener and Allen. Chud has worked well with Cameron and Olsen.

2. If for some odd reason Pep gets fired we have a suitable replacement.

[BOTT]

Except he doesn't want to be in Cleveland and all the Browns fans I've talked to are sure he's gone. Although I doubt we'd sign him anyways.

Has Mack actually hinted at that?

[Danfish98]

Don't know what a special assistant's role would typically be but can't complain about getting another talented coach on the sidelines. He made Cleveland competitive so I can't wait to see what he can do for a team that's not a train wreck.

[USAFHoosier]

Cleveland has tons of cap space...and only 7 FA. Mack ain't going anywhere imo.

They for sure will have the money but will he want to stay with a franchise that makes constant horrible decisions?  With the amount of holes the colts still have I don't know if they will pony up that kind of money for him though.

[Gibbons180]

Great Hire. Browns did above and beyond with so little. Chud should bring experience, knowledge, and some great insight. The off-season is off to a good start. Kudos to GM Ryan Grigson for grabbing Henoc Muamba, and now Rob Chud. Excited to see what he does in FA and the draft. Very glad to see another offensive mind in the staff, think this move is great and should benefit the offense tremendously. GO COLTS

[Bravo]

I think this is a great hire...

1st hopefully could get Mack to think about us a little more!

2nd even if Chuck is healthy it is still nice to get a little weight off of his back and have another decent coach to help him out when he needs it!

[PrincetonTiger]

Great Hire

Fleener, Allen, Doyle, and Saunders are very happy

[CR91]

is it just me or did the colts just give him some special talent to add him to the staff and avoid any problems with the nfl. I mean whos ever heard of a assistant to the HC