The Chud Effect: Introducing New Colts Offensive Coordinator Rob Chudzinski

The 1st domino fell for the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday night, as the team announced that it had parted ways with offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton and will have associate head coach Rob Chudzinski assume the vacancy.

Before joining the Colts last season, Chudzinski was most recently the head coach of the Cleveland Browns in 2013. He brings a wealth of prior professional coaching experience, having also previously served as the offensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers (2011-12), tight end’s coach of the San Diego Chargers (2005-06, 2009-10), and as the Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator (2007-08).

As a former 3-year starter at tight end collegiately at the University of Miami (Fla.), Chudzinski has a great familiarity with his old playing position. He’s mentored and had success with tight ends standouts in the past including the likes of Antonio Gates, Greg Olsen, Jordan Cameron, and Kellen Winslow Jr.

Before this train wreck of an offensive season for the Colts, Chudzinski’s thumbprint on the tight ends he’s coached could clearly be seen from afar:

Perhaps even with the Colts very own Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener last season–who each caught 8 receiving touchdowns a piece, although how much of a role Chudzinski actually played remains unclear.

He’ll get to make even more of a lasting impression with the Colts now though, as he’ll assume primary play-calling duties from the departed Hamilton.

So far, the Colts tight end duo has clearly become an afterthought this season, as both Allen and Fleener have combined for just 38 receptions for 333 total receiving yards and 3 receiving touchdowns at the midseason mark. Look for Chudzinski to get each tight end more involved within the offense.

If nothing else, it’ll give embattled head coach Chuck Pagano his 1st choice as offensive coordinator, as well as perhaps a stronger chance to prove that his team can still turn things around:

Still, behind a bad offensive line and a struggling Andrew Luck, it may be expecting too much for Chudzinski to realistically become a miracle worker facing a short week against a stalwart Denver Broncos defense.

That being said, the Colts offense was clearly stalling, and a change was sorely needed to try to shake things up. Now–only on short notice, Chudzinski gets to prove he was the right man for the job…apparently all along.