Pro: Offensive Aptitude
The man knows a thing or two about the tight end position. Chudzinski, also known as “Chud”, won two national championships during his time at the University of Miami where he was the starting tight end for three years. He returned to his alma mater as a tight ends coach where helped develop Bubba Franks, Jeremy Shockey, and Kellen Winslow II over an eight year span.
Chud has coached tight ends in the NFL for five years with the Cleveland Browns and the San Diego Chargers.
For the past two seasons Chud was the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers. During his first season in Carolina he transformed a bleak, ineffective offense into a juggernaut.
His Panthers boasted the seventh overall offense in the league, as well as ranking fifth in points scored, and setting a franchise record for total yards. Having Offensive Rookie of the Year, Cam Newton, as his starting quarterback may have had something to do with that.
To say that the dude knows a thing or two about running an offense is an understatement. Chud has been at it for nearly two decades. His ten years in college football and nine years in the NFL must have enticed Jimmy Haslam and company.
Con: Lack of experience as Head Coach
After nine years in the NFL, this is Chud’s first head coaching gig. Former Cleveland head coach Pat Shurmur, provides an example of the difficult transition between offensive coordinator and head coach.
The Harbaugh brothers have recently set a high standard for first time head coaches in the NFL; however, it is unreasonable to expect that same level of production from others such as Chudzinski.
Pro: Experience with Browns
Chudzinski was born and raised a Cleveland Browns fan in Toledo, Ohio.
“My cousins and I, … we wanted to be in that stadium, in the Dog Pound so bad that we would watch games in December out in the snow, said Chudzinski. We’d flip the TV around in the window, and that was (like) us being there, being in the stands and being part of that.”
This will be his third stint with the Browns. In 2007, as offensive coordinator, he took an ineffective offense to new heights, much like he did in Carolina. The team finished eighth in the league in total offense and featured five offensive Pro Bowl members: Derek Anderson, Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow II, Josh Cribbs, and Joe Thomas.
Cribbs’ future with the team remains unclear, but Joe Thomas remains on the roster. If Chud can utilize Brandon Weeden’s rocket of an arm like he did with Anderson, combined with the deep threat ability of Josh Gordon like he did with Braylon Edwards, Cleveland fans will be in for a real treat.
Chudzinski has had success with athletic tight ends like Winslow in Cleveland and at the University of Miami as well as Antonio Gates in San Diego. Gates is a converted basketball player from Kent State who shares a few similarities with Cleveland’s tight end Jordan Cameron who also played basketball in college. Perhaps Chud can propel Cameron to new heights.
Con: The Cleveland Brown’s 2008 Season
As encouraging as the success of the ‘07 campaign under Chudzinski was, 2008 proved equally agonizing. So bad, in fact, that the new management in place decided to part ways with Chud after the season.
The Brown’s offense fell from the top ten overall in ‘07 to twenty fourth in the league in points per game and twenty fifth in yards per game in ’08.
Chudzinski wasn’t solely responsible for the meltdown, many different factors contributed to Cleveland’s regression. Nonetheless, his departure was hardly protested by fans.
Pro: Coaching Staff
One consolation of Cleveland fans who opposed the hiring of Chudzinski is the rest of the coaching staff in place.
The Browns recently signed Ray Horton as their defensive coordinator. His name was buzzing around rumor mills as teams searched for new head coaches this offseason. Horton felt betrayed when he wasn’t upgraded from defensive coordinator to head coach by the Arizona Cardinals this offseason, so he decided to accept the defensive coordinator position with Cleveland.
Horton comes with experience in the AFC North. He spent seven years coaching the secondary of the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2004-2010.
Norv Turner joins Chudzinski again in Cleveland, but this time, Chud is running the show. Most recently, Chudzinski served as the assistant head coach to Turner in San Diego.
If Chudzinski ever finds himself overwhelmed during his first attempt at coaching, he need to look no further than Turner and his fifteen years of NFL experience for advice.
Con: His nickname is ‘Chud’
Before the hiring of Chudzinksi, fans were teased with rumors of “sexy” name head coaching candidates such as Nick Saban, Chip Kelly, Ken Wisenhunt, Bruce Arians and others.
Chud’s nickname and reputation are about as sexy as Miley Cyrus’ new haircut. One ESPN analyst recently said that Haslam and Banner promised steak, but came back with Spam.
Every head coach needs an opportunity to build a reputation for himself. The accolades which make certain candidates so enticing are not just given, they are earned. Perhaps Chud’s current position as Cleveland’s head coach will serve as a launching pad to bolster his reputation.
StraightSports 