Colts

Colts Re-Sign Rob Chudzinski As Associate Head Coach

January 27, 2015

Update:

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports the Colts signed new associate head coach Rob Chudzinski to a one-year contract.

Rapoport mentions that this move is likely to provide them with an heir apparent to OC Pep Hamilton if departs next year.

Hamilton was floated as a potential head-coaching candidate before teams got heavily involved in the process of meeting finding their new coach.

However, there wasn’t a great deal of interest in Hamilton this time around.

Indianapolis’ offense is poised for another big year, so it’s conceivable that another trip to the AFC Championship game or a Super Bowl appearance could leave Hamilton as one of the top coaching candidates in 2016.

It’s hard to imagine Chudzinski passing up the opportunity to meet with teams in need of an offensive coordinator like the 49ers and Rams for a one-year deal to stay with the Colts in a lessor role, so I’m sure that the two sides discussed a some sort of succession plan if Hamilton leaves.

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The Indianapolis Colts announced Tuesday that they have reached an agreement with Rob Chudzinski, who will now be the team’s associate head coach.

“We’re excited to keep Chud in our family,” said Head Coach Chuck Pagano. “He’s been a critical part of our operation and we’re looking forward to sharing even more success in the future.”

Chudzinski’s contract expired today and he reportedly had interest from the 49ers and Rams regarding their offensive coordinator vacancies.

Last week, the Colts curiously blocked the soon-to-be free agent coach from meeting with San Francisco and St. Louis, which seemed like a strange move given that his contract was set to expire.

However, the Colts were able to work to get an agreement in place and prevent him for taking a job elsewhere.

Chudzinski was hired by the Colts as their special assistant to the head coach last year. He took the Browns head-coaching job back in 2013, but lasted just one year with the team.

Before that, Chudzinski was the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers (2011-12) and the Browns (2007-08) and was the assistant head coach/tight ends with the San Diego Chargers (2009-2010).