Great news for those who think Norv Turner had too much on his plate being both the Chargers head coach and offensive play caller:

Turner thought so, too.

At least, he believed he could be more effective if he could lighten his load.

So Turner hired an assistant head coach to alleviate some of his duties during the week and on game days.

“I'll be freed up to do stuff,” Turner said. “... When you're comfortable with everyone around you, it frees you up to do something else.”

Turner completed the restructuring of his coaching staff last week when he brought back Rob Chudzinski as tight ends coach and gave him the title of assistant head coach.

The lofty title was necessary because Chudzinski was in demand as a candidate for offensive coordinator, and because Turner had for some time desired a right-hand man to entrust certain duties.

Chudzinski, a candidate for the coordinator jobs in Detroit, San Francisco and Tampa Bay, was the right fit for numerous reasons.

The 40-year-old coached the Chargers' tight ends in the 2005-06 seasons, so he is familiar with the offense and much of its personnel. And he spent the past two seasons as the Cleveland Browns' offensive coordinator.

“He brings another set of eyes and other opinions,” Turner said. “He'll mesh with what (offensive coordinator) Clarence (Shelmon) does, what (quarterbacks coach) John Ramsdell does. It just strengthens our offensive staff. It's continuity, but a new set of ideas.”

The plan is for Chudzinski to be in the booth on game days, allowing Ramsdell to move down to the sideline to go over photos, what happened on the previous series and what the plan will be for the next series. That means Turner won't have to be the one talking with quarterback Philip Rivers and spending time evaluating what comes next on offense.

Ramsdell, who plays a large role in overseeing the passing game, and Shelmon, who does the same with the running game, can also communicate on the sideline in proximity to the players they coach.

Chudzinski will be “the main guy” Turner communicates with during the game, as he will be in the booth evaluating the opposing defense.

“It frees me up in terms of the whole game,” Turner said. “It's another guy who has called a game, managed a game and had to handle different things.”

Turner is looking forward to the extra help during the week.

Chudzinski can devise practice schedules and assist with game-planning when Turner is required elsewhere – fulfilling administrative or media obligations or even becoming more involved in the situational planning for the defense and special teams. Situations with players and officials also come up during the week, and Turner can turn an offensive meeting over to Chudzinski to attend to those circumstances.

“Sometimes you have to pull away,” Turner said, “and you can't have everyone waiting on you.”

For Chudzinski, this job gives him an opportunity to have new responsibilities that will bolster his resume.

“The biggest thing is to be able to grow in your career and prepare yourself for the future and enjoy where you're at right now,” he said.

Being familiar with Turner helped too. The two crossed paths in 2002 and 2003, occasionally even watching each other's practices when Chudzinski was offensive coordinator at the University of Miami and Turner held the same position with the Miami Dolphins.

Chudzinski likes the opportunity for input that Turner encourages his assistants to make.

“It seems like it's a real team effort,” he said.

Turner also spoke of the additions that coordinator Ron Rivera made on his defense, bringing in defensive line coach Don Johnson and secondary coach Steve Wilks. Turner believes Rivera's familiarity with those two will add to the effectiveness of the defensive staff.

“Three years ago, Ron and Steve Wilks and Don Johnson were coaching in the Super Bowl with a pretty good defense,” Turner said. “It's guys Ron is familiar with.”

(signonsandiego.com)

Cross Rob Chudzinski's name off the list of potential offensive coordinator candidates for the 49ers. Chudzinski - known around the league as "Chud" - today accepted a job as Norv Turner's tight ends/ass't head coach in San Diego. Chudzinski was the one of the first candidates to interview with Mike Singletary and Scot McCloughan for the 49ers' job. He also was a candidate for offensive coordinator of the Buccaneers, but obviously thought tight ends coach - his specialty - was his best bet.

(sacbee.com)

Former Rams coach Scott Linehan appears to be the strongest candidate for the Bucs' offensive coordinator position.

Linehan turned down a similar position with the 49ers Sunday saying he had other opportunities. One report out of New York says new coach Rex Ryan will retain offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, a position Linehan was in the mix for.

The Bucs plan to talk to at least a few other candidates, including fired Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Chan Gailey and fired Browns offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski.

Gailey, was the Dallas Cowboys head coach and led them to the playoffs in 1998 and '99. As an offensive coordinator with the Steelers and Dolphins, he's always been committed to running the football.

Chudzinski was the Miami Hurricanes offensive coordinator for three seasons before following Butch Davis to Cleveland, where he coached tight ends. He coached the Chargers' tight ends in 2006-07 before returning to the Browns as offensive coordinator.

Injuries to quarterbacks Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn cost the Browns last season. Cleveland was 31st in total offense.

(tampabay.com)

The 49ers' decision to interview former Browns quarterbacks coach Rip Scherer tells us the team thinks highly of Rob Chudzinski as its potential offensive coordinator.

Chudzinski, who recently interviewed for the coordinating job, worked closely with Scherer in Cleveland. The 49ers would not consider Scherer as a potential quarterbacks coach without feeling good about Chudzinski as coordinator.

While the 49ers want the best coordinator they can get, they also want to develop continuity on offense after frequently changing coordinators in recent seasons. If they hired Chudzinski as coordinator and groomed Scherer for the job in case Chudzinski left after a couple seasons, the 49ers could feel more confident about maintaining stability at the position.

Something to keep in mind as the 49ers move closer to filling out Mike Singletary's staff.

(espn.com)

At this time last year, Rob Chudzinski signed a three-year contract extension with the Browns rather than interview for the Baltimore Ravens coaching job.

Now, with Cleveland expected to hire Jets quarterbacks coach Brian Daboll as its offensive coordinator, Chudzinski is looking for work with his three-year extension in hand. He might not have to wait long to find it.

Chudzinski will interview Saturday with San Francisco, which is looking to match head coach Mike Singletary with a bright, progressive mind. One day before Chudzinski is scheduled to interview, San Francisco is scheduled to kick off its offensive coordinator search with former St. Louis Rams coach Scott Linehan.

Linehan and Chudzinski will be the first two candidates to interview for the 49ers offensive coordinator job, but they are not expected to be the last. San Francisco plans to speak with six or seven candidates and have them meet with Singletary before making a final decision. This is one it wants to get right. It has not always done that in the past.

(nfl.com)

BEREA, Ohio — The Browns’ offensive players compliment Rob Chudzinski even when he isn’t the direct topic of conversation.

When he is, what comes next would make him blush.

Tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. was asked yesterday how excited he was to be reunited with Chudzinski, the Browns’ first-year offensive coordinator, after working with him at the University of Miami and his rookie year with the Browns. He kept it simple.

“I think he is the best coach in the NFL,” Winslow said.

Sometime soon, Rob Chudzinski is going to experience something he really hasn't since January.

A day off.

The Browns' new offensive coordinator has worked tirelessly to develop, implement and install his system, and the end of full-squad minicamp marks an important milestone in that process. Not as important as say, the September 9 season opener or even the first preseason game, but a milestone nonetheless.

With the first "session" of installation, tinkering and tweaking complete, the Browns' players and coaches will have a few weeks to get away and decompress before the start of training camp. And though Chudzinski hopes the players won't let their minds drift too far from their playbooks, he does appreciate the break he and the players are about to get.

"We've thrown a lot at them," Chudzinski said. "That was the philosophy of going through this -- if you kind of spoonfeed them, you never really get to the things you need to get to and find out the things you need to find out.

Since 1999, Browns fans haven't had much to cheer about when the Browhs offense was on the field. That may change, and soon, if offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski can make the most out of the the weapons the team has assembled. Here's Rich's latest Rant...

Maurice Carthon’s failure as the Browns’ offensive coordinator for a season and a half was fueled by his refusal to adapt to his personnel.

He tried to put the round peg in the square hole. He attempted to stuff 10 pounds of offense into a five-pound bag. He relentlessly banged his head against a stone wall despite repeated failures. He refused to change.

That stubbornness ultimately led to his dismissal or, as the club preferred to call it, his resignation.

Now, it’s Rob Chudzinski’s turn and from early indications, it appears as though the new Cleveland offensive coordinator will be flexible, creative and open to suggestions.

New Browns offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski hasn't had a day off since he was hired on Jan. 20. And he won't enjoy one for another month.

Chudzinski is busy installing a new offense that, he hopes, will resemble the explosive one he left behind with the San Diego Chargers.

It's the fifth offensive system the Browns have used since 1999.

Chudzinski is the team's sixth offensive coordinator in that time. He was put in charge as the team faces a crossroads.

The Browns are the only team in the NFL that has finished last in its division the past four years.

The offense has been bolstered by the signings of left guard Eric Steinbach and running back Jamal Lewis in free agency and the selections of left tackle Joe
Thomas and quarterback Brady Quinn in the draft.

Those who knew Rob Chudzinski as a person, student and athlete growing up in Northwest Ohio always knew he had big things ahead of him.

Chudzinski attended St. John's High School in Toledo - about 100 miles west of Cleveland, where he was named offensive coordinator of the Browns on January 20.

He wasn't the biggest or strongest athlete around, but his work ethic and attention to detail immediately thrust him to the forefront, as have they in his coaching career.

At the mere age of 38, he already has served as offensive coordinator of the Miami Hurricanes, winning a NCAA championship, has helped developed star tight ends in Bubba Franks, Jeremy Shockey, Kellen Winslow and the Chargers' Antonio Gates, and now is one of the youngest offensive coordinators in the NFL.

Fans love it when teams think like them. Judged purely on that, the Browns are the darlings of Cleveland.

We love it when the local team brings in local guys. It gives a sense that the team is truly comprised of "our boys," players and coaches who truly know the pain we've been through as fans these past four decades.

Give Browns management credit for trying to play up the local angle as much as possible. From Charlie Frye to Joe Jurevicius to Dave Zastudil to LeCharles Bentley, the roster is overflowing with native Ohioans.

GM Phil Savage and coach Romeo Crennel both had prior ties to the Browns upon accepting their current jobs.

BEREA — On the surface, you have to wonder why Rob Chudzinski decided to accept the offensive coordinator role with the Browns.

Chudzinski, who spent the last two seasons coaching tight ends in San Diego, had a chance to interview for the Chargers’ coordinator position that opened when Cam Cameron left to coach the Miami Dolphins. If he had been offered that post, he would have had LaDainian Tomlinson, Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates and an outstanding offensive line at his disposal.

Instead, Chudzinski assumes the reins of an offense that was 30th in the NFL in scoring, 31st in total yards and 31st in rushing yards last season. No one knows who will be the quarterback, and the line is a mess.

Why take on such a responsibility? It has to do with Chudzinski’s love of the Browns. He grew up in Toledo, where he attended St. John’s High School. He often watched Browns games on television, looking through a window while playing football in the front yard of his parents’ home.

BEREA, Ohio -- Rob Chudzinski was hired Saturday as the Cleveland Browns' offensive coordinator, returning to the team to take over a unit that ranked near the bottom in the NFL in nearly every category the past two seasons.

Chudzinski was Cleveland's tight ends coach in 2004 under Butch Davis. He coached San Diego's tight ends the past two seasons.

The team was impressed with Chudzinski's "well-thought-out" plan on how to address the Browns' scoring woes, coach Romeo Crennel said.

"It covered many facets of the offensive structure," Crennel said. "We talked about coaches, schedules and discipline. ... He knew how he would handle some things here and we were impressed with that."