Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coaching Candidates: Rob Chudzinski
by Sander on Dec 29, 2011 5:36 PM EST
in Franchise Analysis
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PrintAs the end of the NFL season approaches, it seems inevitable that Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris will be fired on Black Monday following the final game of the season. We at Bucs nation have examined what the Glazers are likely to do, compiled a list of options at head coach and constructed some criteria for a future head coach. What we haven't done yet, is examine specific candidates in depth. That's what we'll do in this story, and a few more in the near future.
Today's Candidate: Rob Chudzinski
Carolina Panthers profile
Rob Chudzinski also known as 'Chud' is currently the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers. He's been brought up as a head coaching candidate based on the terrific work he has done with Cam Newton this season, producing a very powerful offense with a talented but raw rookie passer as the focal point. He seems to be the hot coordinator of the year, and will probably get a lot of attention from various teams this offseason.
Prior Experience:
Played tight end, University of Miami (Florida), 1986-90
Graduate assistant, University of Miami (Florida), 1994-1995
Earned master's degree in business administration, 1996
Tight ends coach, University of Miami (Florida), 1996-2000
Offensive Coordinator, University of Miami (Florida), 2001-2003
Tight Ends Coach, Cleveland Browns, 2004
Tight Ends Coach, San Diego Chargers, 2005-2006
Offensive Coordinator, Cleveland Browns, 2007-2008
Tight Ends Coach, San Diego Chargers, 2009-2010
Offensive Coordinator, Carolina Panthers, 2011
Hit the jump for some analysis.
Why he should be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach
- Has had massive success as a coordinator and tight ends coach
Not only has Chudzinski turned an abysmal Panthers offense into a dominant unit this season, he has also had a lot of success as a coordinator in previous stints. He was the offensive coordinator for the 2001 undefeated national champion Miami Hurricanes, the 2002 11-1 Miami Hurricanes, and the less successful but still pretty good 2003 Miami Hurricanes. He managed to turn Derek Anderson into a Pro Bowler with the Cleveland Browns, although he had significantly less success in his second year. He also coached Kellen Winslow to his best statistical season and was Antonio Gates' tight ends coach for his statistically best season, and the 2010 season when Gates seemed primed to re-write the record book before suffering through injuries, forcing him to miss six games. Chudzinski has been successful at each of his stops, and has shown that he can create an explosive offense. - Runs an aggressive and creative offense based on tight ends
This should appeal to Kellen Winslow, who seems to have lost a step, and Luke Stocker, who hasn't been featured much this season. The Bucs have struggled to use their tight ends to the best of their abilities, and Josh Freeman has hurt his own team by trying to force the ball to Kellen Winslow. With Chudzinski, the tight end position will likely be used in more creative ways and could be the foundation of the Bucs' offense. That's likely to help Freeman, who loves to throw the ball to tight ends, and it will help the Bucs exploit defenses around the NFL as tight ends are becoming the key players to dictate matchups and create mismatches. - Is relatively young, but has experience and has succeeded with young players
Chudzinski has a total of 17 years experience as a coach, including six years as a coordinator. His experience as a coordinator will help him as a head coach, as he will have learned to delegate tasks and rely on his assistants. He has also succeeded with young players, which should help him get the most out of an extremely young Buccaneers team. At Miami he obviously had to work with young players, but at Cleveland and Carolina he's been forced to get production out of young players. Derek Anderson, Kellen Winslow Jr, Cam Newton and Braylon Edwards are just some of the players who have thrived under his tutelage.
- Is still very young and relatively inexperienced
Six years worth of experience as an offensive coordinator is decent, but he's only been in the NFL since 2004. He doesn't have a lot of experience dealing with different locker rooms and hasn't had a lot of seasons to prove himself as a manager of people. Hiring Chudzinski would be more of a gamble than hiring a more experienced coach. Moreover, the Bucs have had a young coach take the reigns the past three years - and the results are why they're likely to look for a new coach. - Chudzinski focuses on tight ends, while Josh Freeman is the franchise
Chudzinski is a tight end coach at heart, and has always built his offenses around the tight end position and throwing the ball. The problem there is that the Bucs have some talent at tight end, but none of it is overwhelming: Kellen Winslow is slowing down, while Luke Stocker seems to be completely average at everything he does. The Bucs may be better served finding an offensive coordinator who will establish the run game first, or someone who has a knack for mentoring quarterback to further Freeman's development. - What will Chudzinski do with the defense?
This is a question no on but Chudzinski can answer, but it's a very relevant one. The Bucs need to re-vamp the back seven of their defense, while the front four has seen a massive investment of talent in recent seasons. No one knows what kind of scheme Chudzinski will want to run on defense, but there's a real chance he will want to move to a two-gap 3-4, essentially scrapping the one part of the defense that is talented: the defensive line.
Moreover, Chudzinski has only been in the NFL for six years and may not have built the kind of network you need to attract quality defensive coaches. Does he know the right people to run this team's defense?
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He seems a bit inexperienced...
He has had some success this season, but how much is Cam and how much is the OC? Even Greg Olson looked like a viable candidate after last seasons display by Josh Freeman. Cam Newtons current year notwithstanding, I don’t see much else to brag about. Being the OC of CLE was good for some resume experience, but it doesn’t exactly send shivers down your spine.
Next candidate please…
by Cracker Ball on Dec 29, 2011 6:32 PM EST up reply actions
That's a fair point
I forgot about that. But can he attract any assistant coaches, a good OC and DC?
by Cracker Ball on Dec 29, 2011 7:05 PM EST up reply actions
Or would he be the OC
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
I dunno about him
I would like for us to get someone that has had experience an success with a power running game an that has been able to get the best out of his QB. He has had some good seasons as a coordinator I just really hope that we get someone that has a little more experience in the nfl or that has been the head coach of a good college football program. I am just worried that we will end up with another lame duck coach that is in over his head.
Lets Go Bucs!!!!
by Benjamin Patterson on Dec 29, 2011 8:12 PM EST up reply actions
C.H.U.D. cannibalistic humanoid underground dweller
hmmm do we really want a guy whose nickname is a cheesey horror movie from the 80’s?
Rahdumb the clown and the not ready for prime time players are the worst team in Buc history, the 1976 squad gets a pass cause they were an expansion team, there is no excuse for this garbage!
by bucfanlostiniowa on Dec 29, 2011 8:39 PM EST reply actions
I can see it now "we are chungary"
Rahdumb the clown and the not ready for prime time players are the worst team in Buc history, the 1976 squad gets a pass cause they were an expansion team, there is no excuse for this garbage!
by bucfanlostiniowa on Dec 29, 2011 8:41 PM EST up reply actions
49 - No's
Please explain, and tell me who you would rather prefer.
Chud has done HIS job as well as any HC candidate out there. Derek Anderson to the PB, Gates having the best year of his career under him, 2011 Cam Newton. He does his job very very well.
Maddon's Mission
Make you want to kill him, then make you want to love him. Sly.
by Jonah Keri on Jun 19, 2010 10:31 PM EDT
He doesn't have enough experience running a whole team.
I’m gun shy of letting someone with little experience running a team take over for Raheem. This year I believe the best thing he did was copy Auburn’s play book and slowly add in NFL plays.
He would be a better option than keeping rah rah..
East Coast Fan
by Bucfan on Dec 29, 2011 9:10 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Besides, he played and coached at the "U".
Need I say anymore…
East Coast Fan
by Bucfan on Dec 29, 2011 9:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Umm its the U really?
Did you see the talent that they had there when they were good? We don’t have that much talent an he was never the head coach of any team the tight ends coach an the oc are not head coaching jobs which would lead one to think that maybe he does not know how to run a full team as he never has. I am not sure who should be coach as I do not have very many resumes in front of me. I am not a sports writer an do not have access to the statistics of the NCAA or the NFL I am sorry I am not fully informed but I do know what I see in the game as I have seen every game this year an last. I was serving the army the four years before that. What I think is we need someone that will get the most out of this team that can motivate, coach up, an lead, as well as who has a offensive background. Someone that can coach Freeman and get the most out of him. He also has to have the ability to put together a good defensive coaching staff cause this team is not just bad on one side of the ball. an a guy that has never been the head coach of any team I do not think he can be the guy to lead THIS team I am not saying he cannot be a head coach I just can’t see him doing it with us, maybe I am wrong but Rah didn’t do it an I hope that it is not another too young coach we need someone that has been around the block at least once before all i mean but that is he was been head coach somewhere.
by Benjamin Patterson on Dec 29, 2011 9:22 PM EST up reply actions
"Someone that can coach Freeman and get the most out of him."
You mean like how Chudzinski did with Derek Anderson, Antonio Gates, and Cam Newton?
You want him to have been a HC somewhere else? If that were the case he would either have a) sucked at it, that no one wants him to be their HC, or b) excelled at it and is now locked down by that organization.
Retread coaches were INEPT at their last job, but we’re considering them because they have head coaching experience… why? They were all fired for a reason.
Maddon's Mission
Make you want to kill him, then make you want to love him. Sly.
by Jonah Keri on Jun 19, 2010 10:31 PM EDT
Well, Cowher wasn't ever fired
but for the most part, this.
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain
I think Cowher was a great coach
and I wouldn’t mind them hiring him, if he will invest 100% to the team. I don’t really see him doing that though. I see it more as a vacation job for him. I also don’t want to scrap the last two drafts to move to a 3-4. Cowher’s record with Pittsburgh was pretty freaking incredible though. If we could have that kind of consistent success here then I would be a very happy fan.
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain
Cowhers wife was very sick...
and I believe that is why he did not get back into coaching. She has passed, God bless, and he can now focus his energies toward some lucky team that sings him.
I hope it’s us* (just stay with the 4-3)
by Cracker Ball on Dec 30, 2011 6:15 PM EST up reply actions
I guess this is the reaction one could expect after ownership decided to hire an inexperienced DB coach.
Let me ask you this, a retread was at one point fired because he couldn’t run a whole team. How is he anymore of a guarantee over a coordinator if he’s already been canned once?
As for
This year I believe the best thing he did was copy Auburn’s play book and slowly add in NFL plays.
You see this as negative? I see this as innovative. He has the wherewithall to not only whip peoples asses with a college playbook basically (your words), but he did it because he was adapting to the players he had to work with. This speaks volumes to me.
Chud is getting hired as a HC sooner than later, do we miss out or do we take the chance? Remember, the two best teams in our division took that chance, let’s not let a DB coach get in the way even after he’s fired.
Maddon's Mission
Make you want to kill him, then make you want to love him. Sly.
by Jonah Keri on Jun 19, 2010 10:31 PM EDT
Morris was a financially motiviated hire, and I seriously doubt the Auburn playbook will work next year, teams adapt pretty quickly in the NFL.
Raheem was the DREAM that turned into a NIGHTMARE..
But he didn't actually copy the Auburn playbook
He incorporated some zone read and other option plays, but that’s about it.
But there's a reason the option isn't used in the NFL, too much team speed.
Believe me, teams will make adjustments next year and Cam won’t do as well.
Raheem was the DREAM that turned into a NIGHTMARE..
Oh, sure, the option part of the playbook will eventually go away
But Newton has the arm and pocket presence to do well as a pocket passer, too.
We don't deserve his greatness
Would Rob Chudzinski be a good head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
28% -Yes – 40 votes
44% – No – 63 votes
27% – I don’t know – 39 votes
Maddon's Mission
Make you want to kill him, then make you want to love him. Sly.
by Jonah Keri on Jun 19, 2010 10:31 PM EDT
Chud sounds like a viable option.
Dungy wasnt loaded with experience prior to coming here was he?
East Coast Fan
by Bucfan on Dec 29, 2011 10:08 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I do like how it would simultaneously help us...
and possibly stunt Cam Newtons development. Sounds win/win. Just don’t know what other coaches he could attract to join him here.
by Cracker Ball on Dec 30, 2011 6:18 PM EST up reply actions
Yes he did... and he got us VERY close
and I would be very happy with that kind of close right now.
by Cracker Ball on Dec 30, 2011 8:34 PM EST up reply actions
Even Norv Turner...
and his yearly playoff appearances look pretty sweet right now. It certainly beats debating who our next Top 5 draft pick/injured disappointment will be.
He is a good play caller also
Keeps a defense off balance
Bucs are inept when it comes to getting it right, no worries.
Maddon's Mission
Make you want to kill him, then make you want to love him. Sly.
by Jonah Keri on Jun 19, 2010 10:31 PM EDT
It's not like he would actually come here
"I'm a little dysfunctional
You're the problem, Please don't awakin me
And I'm that way cause back in the day
Most have forsaken me"
no need for indepth reseach here, the new coach is clear....
Our man is Woody Widenhofer!!
Beware!!
by Creamsicle Power on Dec 30, 2011 2:29 AM EST reply actions
I don't like this Chudzinski guy
Cam Newton made those plays on the field not Chudzinski. People are acting like Cam was some horrible QB that needed a lot of coaching up to succeed in the NFL. The guy is a just a good QB. His stats show it. He did the same thing he did in college in the pro’s. Put up a shitload of yardage and TD’s air and on the ground. We might as well throw Gene Chizik’s name out there two since Auburn wasnt doing much until he “coached up” the kid Newton from the junior college ranks. So while I’m sure he can ride Cam’s coattails to a new job, I’m not buying him as head coach material. I understand most of yall here didnt expect Cam to do much do to all the baseless criticism he got predraft in the media, but c’mon. Chudzinki guys? We can do better.
Again, my biggest concern is who he can recruit to join his staff...
we clearly need some soild coaching – top to bottom, and an experienced DC may not want to work for a young, first-time HC.
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