If this news doesn’t stir this derelict blog, I may as well pull the plug, because nothing ever will. Seems my old high school classmate has just been named the HMFIC of our very own Cleveland Browns!

Here’s what I wrote nine years ago when Rob Chudzinski joined Butch Davis’ staff as the tight ends coach:
 

Half a lifetime ago, “Chud” and I were in a lot of classes together, as well as National Honor Society. I wouldn’t say we were close friends or anything, but I liked him, as did everyone else. He was very smart, on the quiet side, kind of a gentle giant — easy to tease and slow to anger. He was a three-sport star and one of the biggest kids around, but he never gave a hint of being arrogant, nor was he a bully or a showboat. I was always amazed that he seemed to fit in so well with the punks at Miami, where he played tight end, got two degrees, and coached his way up to the pros.

At his first press conference in Berea today, Chud’s answer to a question about his offensive philosophy echoed the exact words of our senior year English teacher, Dr. Demar: “Balance is the key.”

Another thing Doc taught was to put the pressures and expectations of high school into perspective. This was all just the “little time.” Wait until college, grad school, the real world — that’s the “big time,” fellas.

Well, Chud, we haven’t been in touch for 26 years, but I’m already feeling protective of you as criticism of your hiring spills forth from the justifiably cynical fan base. But it’s all good, big guy. You’ve surely hit the big time.