Turner will receive assist from Chudzinski

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)