Rob Chudzinski was introduced as the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns. Chudzinski is the 14th full-time head coach in the franchise’s history and sixth since its return to the NFL as an expansion team in 1999.
Pat Shurmur was released December 31st after the Browns finished 5-11 in his second year at the helm
Chudzinski was with Browns as Tight Ends coach in 2004 and served as the team’s Offensive Coordinator for the 2007-08 seasons. He was also Assistant Head Coach for the Chargers under the recently released Norv Turner in San Diego. There’s been several reports Turner is in line to become the O.C. for the Browns.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam is happy with the selection.
“Over the last two years” as Offensive Coordinator with the Carolina Panthers “they scored 88 touchdowns… we scored 48. If watch how they play and how they scheme… he has developed a scheme around a team.”
Haslam sited Chudzinski’s ability to develop young talent such as Derek Anderson during his days with the Browns and Cam Newton at Carolina.
The Browns have a great deal of young talent and with the state of the NFL having become a more offensive game, Haslam said: “We thought it was exceptionally important to bring in an individual who could take advantage of, develop, everywhere Rob has been, the quarterback has gotten dramatically better, develop that young talent so that we can put the kind of points on the board that will one, win games and two, candidly be fun to watch.”
While Chudzinski wouldn’t address personnel circumstances, he said he wants to get his staff together first and then assess the personnel. “We’re gonna win here,” said Chudzinski, “how soon that’ll be, time will tell, but it’s gonna happen.”
The Browns most consistent side of the ball has been defensively, and Chudzinski said, “We’re gonna be an attacking-style defense…. We’re gonna create turnovers, get after the quarterback, affect the quarterback’s play…”
The process was relatively quick for Browns management. The team contacted Chudzinski Tuesday, interviewed him, Wednesday, and offered him the job, Thursday.
“It is a dream come true, almost unbelievable in a lot of ways, that this kids from Toledo, Ohio, growing up as a Browns fan and loving the Browns… I’ve been on cloud nine… I think I slept about an hour last night.”
Chudzinski planned to meet with the existing coaching staff Friday afternoon.
