Rob Chudzinski hired as Indianapolis Colts assistant

Former Cleveland Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski won't be jobless in 2014.

The man known as "Chud" was hired by the Indianapolis Colts as a special assistant to coach Chuck Pagano, the team announced Saturday.

Pagano and Chudzinski's relationship extends all the way back the University of Miami. In 1986, Pagano served as a graduate assistant during Chudzinski's freshman year -- when he played tight end. The two then coached at Miami together from 1995-2000. They also spent the 2004 season together under Butch Davis with the Cleveland Browns.

"Rob and I have a long professional relationship and his résumé speaks for itself," Pagano said in a statement released by the team. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and will be a tremendous help to our entire team moving forward. Needless to say, we're excited to have 'Chud' joining our family."

The team did not define what "special assistant" duties he will be performing.

Before being fired after only one season with the Browns, Chudzinski was the offensive coordinator with the Panthers. He also has extensive experience working with NFL tight ends.

An offensive mind, Chudzinski could help open up a Colts offense that sputtered at times last season, until offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton scrapped his run-first plan and relied on Andrew Luck's arm.

The 2013 Browns' offense had next to no running game, horrid quarterback troubles and carried only one true playmaker in Josh Gordon. Yet, Cleveland still managed to field a middle-of-the-pack offense.

In the latest "Around The League Podcast," the guys ponder the future in both Seattle and Denver and break down the teams who intrigue them most this offseason.