Buchtel's boys basketball team took over sole possession of second place in the City Series with Friday's 75-59 win over host Akron East. Second place in the City Series was at stake, but Buchtel and Akron East played as though it were a postseason contest.

Buchtel's boys basketball team took over sole possession of second place in the City Series with Friday's 75-59 win over host Akron East.

Second place in the City Series was at stake, but Buchtel and Akron East played as though it were a postseason contest.

East (5-5, 2-2) grabbed a short-lived third-quarter lead thanks to a run of 12 straight points, only to have the visiting Griffins (5-2, 4-1) storm back for a 75-59 victory Friday night.

Senior guard Damonte Hicks paced Buchtel with 16 points, senior forward Tyler Jones scored 15 and senior guard Elijah Bell added 14. The Griffins, who held a 37-28 rebounding advantage, got eight rebounds from Jones.

East sophomore guard Derik Lewis scored a game-high 20 points, his sixth 20-point effort of the season. Senior forward Brandon Townsend added 19 points and a team-best seven rebounds.

No. 4 St. Ignatius 68, University 45: The Wildcats (7-2), ranked No. 8 in the Division I state poll, snapped a two-game losing streak thanks to a third quarter when they held a 21-6 scoring advantage. Alec Papesch's 17 points led St. Ignatius.

No. 5 Villa Angela-St. Joseph 54, St. Peter Chanel 41: The Vikings, ranked No. 4 in the Division IV state poll, busted open the North Coast League White Division game by outscoring Chanel, 22-9, in the fourth quarter. Cleveland State recruit Demonte Flanagan, who scored six of his 21 points in the final quarter, also finished with nine rebounds and four blocks.

No. 9 Cleveland Central Catholic 74, Holy Name 60: The Ironmen (7-3, 4-1), ranked sixth in the Division II state poll, snapped a three-game losing streak when Chelvonte Montgomery, Antwon Lillard and Greg Snyder scored 16, 15 and 14 points, respectively.

No. 10 Archbishop Hoban 54, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin 53: The Knights (8-1, 3-1) outscored host NDCL, 17-14, in the fourth quarter to pull out the NCL Blue Division game, extending their winning streak to four games. Hoban, ranked ninth in the Division II state poll, got a 20-point effort from Jaelen Hollinger in what was NDCL's second loss in six games.

No. 12 Brush 50, Stow 44: The Arcs (10-2, 4-0) outscored the Bulldogs in the first three quarters, 33-25, to prevail in the Northeast Ohio Conference River Division game. Brandon Dawson and Chris Oakley collected 16 and 12 points, respectively, for the winners.

No. 16 Glenville 80, John Marshall 59: The Tarblooders (9-1, 6-1) jumped out to a 27-18 first-quarter lead en route to the Senate Athletic League victory. Harry Sykes and Jimond Ivey accounted for 37 and 13 points, respectively.

No. 19 Brunswick 74, Strongsville 48: The Blue Devils (6-7, 1-3) won their first NOC Valley Division game as 6-5 Kyle Wheeler scorched the nets for 25 points.

No. 23 Twinsburg 51, Hudson 47 (OT): The Tigers (8-2, 3-1) salvaged the NOC River Division win thanks to Jalen Washington's 15 points.

Walsh Jesuit 53, No. 25 Benedictine 44: The Warriors (9-1, 4-0) pulled their second North Coast League Blue Division upset in a month as Mark Mittiga and Jordan Kay teamed for 30 points.

Collinwood 59, Martin Luther King 56: Eric Christopher's 3-pointer at the buzzer gave the Railroaders (6-5, 4-3) the SAL victory. Maurice Scott's 22 points and 18 rebounds, along with Terrell Richardson's 14 points, paced Collinwood.

Norton 61, Kent Roosevelt 51: Aaron VanBuskirk and Tyler Sherman led the Panthers (11-2, 6-1) with 12 points each to stay atop the Portage Trail Conference Metro Division.

John F. Kennedy 52, John Adams 49: Christen Wilson's 3-pointer at the buzzer gave the host Eagles the SAL victory. Wilson turned in a team-best 14 points.

Cardinal 55, Cuyahoga Heights 43: Jake DiBlasio scored 10 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter to go along with his game-high 12 rebounds and four blocks as the Huskies (7-3, 3-0) won the Chagrin Valley Conference crossover game. Brian Kaser added 12 points, five assists and three steals while Alex Hill finished with a game-best 17 points and eight rebounds.

Avon Lake 45, Midpark 36: The Shoremen had a 31-17 scoring advantage in the first half to muster the Southwestern Conference victory as Jimmy Hessel and Brad Hamilton teamed up for 28 points and 15 rebounds.

Maple Heights 79, Euclid 68 (OT): The Mustangs (7-4, 4-3) trailed by seven points with 1:30 left in overtime of the Lake Erie League game before reeling off 20 points. Maple Heights made a school-record 14 3-pointers. Phil Black collected 28 points for Maple Heights and Andre Wilson chipped in with 15 points.

Andrews Osborne 47, Grand River Academy 32: AOA (10-0, 9-0) stayed unbeaten and in front of the Lake Effect Conference pack thanks to Kyle Jefferson's 16 points.

Hockey

Walsh Jesuit 6, Mentor 0: Jack Huscroft tallied two goals and Dawson DiPietro had three assists for the Warriors, and goalie Chad McNamee earned the shutout by making 12 saves.

Hudson 5, Padua 2: The Explorers scored on every single power play they were presented, led by three goals from Bo Lori. John Calabro added two assists and Connor Ganley had three.

Girls basketball

East Tech 62, Lincoln-West 52 (OT): The Golden Scarabs (8-4, 6-1) avoided a major Senate Athletic League upset by shutting out Lincoln-West, 10-0, in the extra session. Shantell Bostick singed the nets for a game-high 21 points.

Boys bowling

Brunswick 2,047, Hudson 1,616: Eric Bator rolled a 280 game en route to a 455 series in leading the Blue Devils to the Northeast Ohio Conference win.

Boys swimming

University School 112, St. Ignatius 71: The Preppers won the meet between area state powers behind the stellar effort of Josh Wang. Wang won the 100 freestyle (50.17), 200 free (1:50.21) and breaststroke (1:04.25) and joined Ryan Thaler, Zach Shapiro and Nils Gudbranson on the winning 200 free relay (1:30.68).

Highlights include college basketball and NFL playoff games.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV sports listings

AHL

8:05 p.m. LAKE ERIE MONSTERS at Houston, AM/850

AUTO RACING

2 a.m. (Sunday) Dakar Rally, stage 8 (tape), NBCSN

BOXING

10 p.m.* Johan Perez vs. Steve Forbes, Fox Sports Ohio

*-joined in progress

BULL RIDING

10 p.m. PBR Built Ford Tough Series (tape), CBSSN

GOLF

9 a.m. Volvo Champions (tape), Golf Channel

7 p.m. Sony Open, Golf Channel

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL

4 p.m. Huntington Prep (W.Va.) vs. Cape Henry (Va.), ESPN

7 p.m. Elyria at Keystone, AM/930

MEN'S COLLEGE HOCKEY

6 p.m. Army at Air Force, CBSSN

MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

11 a.m. Georgetown at St. John's, ESPN2

Noon Anderson at Lincoln Memorial, CBSSN

Noon Marquette at Pitt, ESPNU

Noon Minnesota at Indiana, Big Ten Network

Noon Duke at NC State, ESPN

1 p.m. Tennessee at Alabama, ESPN2

2 p.m. Holy Cross at Lehigh, CBSSN

2 p.m. UConn at Notre Dame, Fox Sports Ohio

2 p.m. Texas at Iowa State, ESPNU

2 p.m. Valparaiso at Milwaukee, Sports Time Ohio

2 p.m. North Carolina at Florida State, ESPN

2 p.m. Butler at Dayton, NBCSN

2:15 p.m. Illinois at Wisconsin, Big Ten Network

3 p.m. Oklahoma State at Oklahoma, ESPN2

4 p.m. Florida at LSU, ESPNU

4 p.m. George Washington at Xavier, CBSSN

4 p.m. Drexel at James Madison, NBCSN

6 p.m. Eastern Michigan at Bowling Green, SportsTime Ohio

6 p.m. Penn at Princeton, NBCSN

6 p.m. Saint Louis at Temple, ESPNU

8 p.m. Arizona at Oregon State, ESPNU

8 p.m. Cincinnati at Rutgers, Fox Sports Ohio

8 p.m. Colorado State at San Diego State, NBCSN

11 p.m. Washington at Stanford, Fox Sports Ohio

NBA

8 p.m. Phoenix at Chicago, WGN

NFL PLAYOFFS DIVISIONAL ROUND

4:30 p.m. Baltimore at Denver, WOIO

8 p.m. Green Bay at San Francisco, WJW

WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

4 p.m. West Virginia at Kansas State, Fox Sports Ohio

Chudzinski also expected to hire a defensive coordinator to replace Dick Jauron.

View full size Norv Turner, who has 15 years experience as a head coach in the NFL, is set to become Rob Chudzinski's offensive coordinator in Cleveland. Lenny Ignelzi, Associated Press  

BEREA, Ohio -- New Browns coach Rob Chudzinski is set to name Norv Turner his offensive coordinator soon, a source said, and also hire a new defensive coordinator to replace the well-liked Dick Jauron.

Turner, who was fired last week as coach of the Chargers, brings 15 years of head-coaching experience, which would be a boon for a first-time head coach. Turner has had a few other opportunities, including a possible chance with Ray Horton if he gets the Cardinals job, but is set to land here, a source said. He's currently out of town, so the hiring has yet to be announced.

He's a longtime mentor to Chudzinski, who served as Turner's tight ends coach and assistant head coach in 2009 and 2010 in San Diego.

"Having the assistant head coach experience where I spent all the time with Norv and saw all the things he had to do, I've been around the people who've given me the opportunities to see what it takes to be a great head coach and hopefully I can put all those things together and get that done," Chudzinski said.

Chudzinski, who met with current staffers on Friday, declined to comment on whether or not Turner is coming or on any other specific assistants.

"This is not the time or place," he said in his introductory news conference.

As for who will call plays, Chudzinski, who's known for being good at it, said he's open to giving it up.

"That will be determined by the staff we put together," said Chudzinski. "If I'm comfortable with the offensive coordinator doing that, he'll do it. If I'm not sure about that or uncomfortable, I'll call the plays until I become comfortable with that."

Chudzinski indicated he'll hire a new defensive coordinator, and that the hire will dictate whether or not the Browns switch to a 3-4 defense. Chudzinski has been involved with both the 3-4 and the 4-3, and a hybrid of the two.

"We're going to be an attacking-style defense," he said. "Whether that's a 4-3 or 3-4 and nowadays, there's a lot of hybrid systems out there. It'll tie in more with the coordinator that I'll hire, and I think we have the versatility of going either way."

Chudzinski is expected to hire Turner's son, Scott, an offensive assistant for the Panthers. Jaguars defensive coordinator Mel Tucker, who held the same post with the Browns in 2008, could be on the radar in Cleveland but also is in line to interview for the head-coaching job in Jacksonville.

As for the new GM or personnel director, the interviewing has begun. The Browns are interviewing Kansas City's Ray Farmer, and have also asked for permission to interview the 49ers' Tom Gamble, the Vikings' George Paton and the Seahawks' John Idzik. NFL Network's Mike Lombardi, the former Browns director of player personnel, is also a candidate.

"Joe and I have begun the search for a GM/player personnel person," said Browns owner Jimmy Haslam. "The remarks will be just like they were back on Dec. 31. We could have somebody in a few days. It may take a month. The key thing is to get the right person. I think we're putting together a great team here, the right person to work closely with Joe and Rob and putting a championship-caliber team on the field.

"There will once again be all kinds of rumors. Once again, now there will be three people because Rob will be involved in the process, not two in terms of who are aware of what's going on."

Some coaches who were with the Browns last season are also getting looks. The Charlotte Observer reported that former Browns head coach Pat Shurmur is a candidate to replace Chudzinski as Panthers offensive coordinator, where he'd work with quarterback Cam Newton.

Browns offensive coordinator Brad Childress is interviewing for a spot on Andy Reid's staff in Kansas City, a source said. Same with offensive line coach George Warhop, Adam Caplan of Sirius XM radio reported. Browns defensive assistant Chuck Bullough took the defensive coordinator job at Syracuse.

BROOKLYN, Ohio -- St. Ignatius had the shots. Lake Catholic had the saves. That's how it went for the most part as the Wildcats got a 1-0 victory against the Cougars in a Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League Red North West Division game on Saturday at the Coyne Recreation Center in Brooklyn. Give credit to both defenses for...

BROOKLYN, Ohio -- St. Ignatius had the shots. Lake Catholic had the saves.

That's how it went for the most part as the Wildcats got a 1-0 victory against the Cougars in a Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League Red North West Division game on Saturday at the Coyne Recreation Center in Brooklyn. Give credit to both defenses for hanging tough throughout, with Lake Catholic junior goaltender Liam Conway called on all game to keep coming up with save after save.

The Wildcats (16-4-3, 5-0) put 28 shots on net and only one of them managed to get past Conway. That came with eight minutes left in the first period when sophomore Kevin Yarcusko converted a pass from sophomore Jack Mazanec for the game's lone tally.

"Both teams played well and you had to make a play," said Yarcusko, who has six goals on the season. "It's good to know the team can count on your line to put the puck in the net."

The Cougars (10-10-2, 3-4-1) did a very good job of killing off back-to-back penalties early in the second period. Conway did make big stops on shots by defenseman Harry Smith and forward Beck Schultz.

But for a second straight game, Lake Catholic was shut out. They came up empty-handed on three power-play opportunities, two in the final period. In fact, they did not get a shot off in the final three minutes when they had their last advantage.

"All season we've had trouble taking advantage of opportunities," said Lake Catholic coach Ryan O'kicki. "We are 10 percent on power plays. Last year we were 33 percent.

"Conway did a great job of seeing every shot and controlling the rebound. When you get outshot, 28-10, we couldn't be happier about that."

St. Ignatius coach Pat O'Rourke had a mixed outlook on the contest. Getting a division win to remain unbeaten in the division was satisfying, but making it a little easier on the heart would have been nice.

"We are officially the team that couldn't shoot straight," said O'Rourke. "Either the goalie made the save or we missed the net. We did limit shots and that was good. These are the kind of games you get in the state tournament. But we can't put anyone away."

St. Ignatius senior goaltender Mike Mulach got the shutout as his club provided plenty of defense in front of him. The Cougars helped by getting only one shot in the first period and three in the third.

The teams tied when they met last month, 1-1.

Baltimore's Justin Tucker kicked a 47-yard field goal 1:42 into the second overtime Saturday to lift the Ravens to a 38-35 victory over the Denver Broncos in the AFC playoffs.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones (12) reacts with Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) after scoring a touchdown against the Denver Broncos to tie the score late in the fourth quarter of an AFC divisional playoff NFL football game, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)  

DENVER — No matter where his season or his career might end, Joe Flacco will always have The Fling.

And Peyton Manning will always have to live with that throw he made, too.

Flacco's desperation 70-yard touchdown pass to Jacoby Jones with 31 seconds left in regulation saved the game for Baltimore in regulation and Manning's throw across his body in overtime all but lost it for Denver.

On a frostbitten day in the frozen tundra known as Denver, the Ravens got a 47-yard field goal from Justin Tucker 1:42 into the second overtime Saturday to pull off a 38-35 upset over Manning and the Broncos, extending linebacker Ray Lewis' career by at least one game.

Lewis, who led the Ravens with 17 tackles over this nearly 77-minute game, kneeled down to the ground and put his helmet on the rock-solid turf when it was over.

After he thaws out, the Ravens (12-6), 9½-point underdogs for this one, will get ready for a game at either New England or Houston, who meet Sunday for the other spot in the AFC title game.

"Our team is so confident and everything went against us," Lewis said, "but we found a way to come here together and we're leaving together. It's just awesome."

This game, the longest since the Browns beat Cleveland 23-20 in 1987, was an all-timer — up there with San Diego's 41-38 double-overtime victory over Miami for drama. But Flacco's throw might best be bookended next to one made by Roger Staubuch, who famously coined the term "Hail Mary" after his game-winning toss to Drew Pearson beat Minnesota in the 1975 playoffs.

How else to describe the Flacco throw?

On third-and-3 from his 30 with 41 seconds and no timeouts left, Flacco bought time in the pocket and saw Jones sprinting down the right sideline into double coverage. Defensive back Tony Carter slowed up and let Jones streak by him. Instead of staying step for step with Jones, safety Rahim Moore tried to leap and knock down the ball. Flacco, who throws the high, deep ball as well as anyone, got it over Moore's head and into Jones' hands.

Jones caught it and pranced into the end zone, blowing kisses to the crowd.

The Broncos chose to kneel on the ball to end regulation.

The teams punted three times to start overtime, setting up Denver on its 7-yard line. Manning was moving the Broncos along slowly and steadily. But on second-and-6 from the 38, he rolled to his right, stopped and threw across the field to Brandon Stokley. Graham stepped in front of the receiver for the interception, bookending the pick he made in the first quarter, which he returned 39 yards for a touchdown and a 14-7 lead.

The temperature at kickoff was 13 degrees, and Manning fell to 0-4 lifetime when the temperature is 40 or less. He finished 28 for 43 for 290 yards and accounted for all three Denver turnovers — the two picks and a lost fumble that set up the touchdown that tied the game at 28 late in the third quarter.

Those mistakes nullified a record-setting day for returner Trindon Holliday, who returned a punt 90 yards for a touchdown and a kickoff 104 yards for another score. Both were playoff records for longest returns, as was the 248 total return yards he had.

All for naught.

This was, more or less, the unthinkable for the Broncos, who came in on an 11-game winning streak and the odds-on favorite, at 3-1, to win the Super Bowl, in Manning's hometown of New Orleans, no less.

Instead, this loss goes down with the most devastating in Denver history. Right there with the 30-27 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Jan. 4, 1997 — another year when Denver looked like Super Bowl material.

But it's Baltimore and Lewis who are in the AFC title game for the second straight year.

The Lakers' continued struggles surprise former players heading into Sunday's game against the Cavaliers.

View full size As their record slipped to 15-21 on Friday night, Lakers (from left) Metta World Peace, Kobe Bryant and Antawn Jamison watched the final seconds of a blowout home loss to Oklahoma City. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES -- A year ago at this time, Luke Walton was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. Today, he hardly knows what to say about his former team.

The Cavaliers veteran, sent to Cleveland along with Jason Kapono and a No. 1 draft choice for Ramon Sessions at the trading deadline last season, rarely is at a loss for words. He's got a story for everything. But asked if he was surprised that the Lakers have yet to turn around their season, he paused a long time before answering.

"I'm kind of dumbfounded by the whole situation, to be honest," he said Saturday. The Cavs will face the Lakers on Sunday night at Staples Center. "I'm a believer. I've been around that organization and around Kobe [Bryant] too long to believe that they're not going to figure it out, because it's not acceptable not with him in particular. When you have someone who's as good as he is, you don't ever want to doubt him.

"I still think they'll figure it out, but I'm not as confident saying that as I was when the season started."

This already has been a long season for the 15-21 Lakers. They went winless in eight preseason games trying to adopt Mike Brown's new Princeton offense. When they started off the regular season 1-4, the former Cavs coach was fired and replaced on an interim basis with Bernie Bickerstaff as the Lakers at least entertained the notion of bringing back Phil Jackson.

Then all of a sudden they hired Mike D'Antoni instead.

Throughout it all, the injuries keep piling up. Steve Nash missed 24 games with a fracture in his left leg. Steve Blake is out with after abdominal surgery. Jordan Hill is out for the season with a hip injury that will require surgery. Pau Gasol (concussion) and another newcomer, Dwight Howard (torn labrum, right shoulder), are listed as out, although they will be tested on Sunday and there's an outside chance either or both could play against the Cavs.

"Not to make excuses for them," Walton said, "but they are a new team and they've been hurt all season. I think if they had been healthy they would have figured it out by now. But yeah, I'm surprised that they're five games under .500."

So is Cavs coach Byron Scott, a former Lakers star.

"Just like any other team, injuries play a part in a lot of teams going through struggles," Scott said. "When you have Steve Nash coming back, Howard goes down, Pau has been in and out, it's obviously going to affect you. We can speak from experience when it comes to that.

"Yeah, I expected them after 36 games to be better than they are record-wise."

Scott said he really hadn't been following the Lakers' woes, but one statement from D'Antoni did catch his eye.

ESPN Los Angeles said after the Lakers got blown out by Oklahoma City, D'Antoni told his team, "Our season starts Sunday. ... We put ourselves in this ditch and we are the only ones that can get ourselves out."

MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Wrestling can be funky. Lately, da funk has belonged to da Bulldogs.

Matt Hollingsworth of Clearview, right, defeated Anthony Kozma of Cloverleaf, left, in the 138-pound title match - (Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer)

MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Wrestling can be funky.

Lately, da funk has belonged to da Bulldogs.

Trailing, 2-1, in the third period, Stow sophomore 170-pounder Nick Planicka's funk roll from the bottom resulted in a pin of Midpark senior Will Brewer in the final of the Midpark Len Pariano Tournament on Saturday.

Planicka's pin was one of many highlights for the Bulldogs, who cruised to the tournament title with 203.5 points. Hudson edged Midpark for second place, 145-144, and Cloverleaf was fourth at 137 followed by Rocky River, Lakewood and Avon Lake.

Planicka picks up where 2012 state runner-up Connor McMahon left off. McMahon was Stow's king of funky moves, a trade he now plies for Southern Illinois. Planicka trained with McMahon last year, and this is his first season on the varsity.

"I like the funk roll a lot. Connor had a lot of funk rolls. He was a real good scrambler and taught me a lot," Planicka said.

Planicka started the tournament with a 5-3 win over No. 1 seed Ralph Johnson of Lakewood, and he had two major decisions before his final pin in 4:20.

Joining Planicka atop the awards stand from Stow were freshman Kyle Jenkins (106 pounds), junior Hunter Massey (160), junior Joe Kollar (182) and senior Gage Finegan (195).

"When Nick gets his mind set, he's tough. Hopefully he realized today how competitive he can be," Stow coach Randy Jenkins said. "Kollar did an awesome job. He was the underdog and he improved in every match."

Jenkins has a tough lineup decision to make soon with Planicka and Massey, who pinned in the 160 final. Both weight about 165 pounds and at least one of them will drop down a weight.

Promising Rocky River 120-pounder Brad Sprau was named Most Valuable Wrestler. He won by major decision, default and had a pin in 5:56 in the final against Hudson freshman Ben Boysel.

Cloverleaf had three champs – Greg Briggs (113), Mark Heidelman (132), and Mark Salamon (285). Clearview produced two champs in Matt Hollingsworth (138) and Derrick Foster (152).

Other champs were Brooklyn Lewis Roginsky (126), Brookside's Ian Standen (145) and Midpark's John Hoffman (220).

Hollingsworth won the most dramatic and controversial final. He and Cloverleaf's Anthony Kozma were tied, 1-1, when Hollingsworth missed a feeble throw attempt and was taken down with 15 seconds left.

Using a Peterson move, Hollingsworth reversed Kozma to his back for a two-point near-fall at the buzzer for a 5-3 win. There was considerable debate about whether Hollingsworth had the two seconds for the near fall before time expired.

"I didn't really have anything locked up and tried something random," Hollingsworth said of his throw attempt. "But the last couple seconds I tried to get my hips out and hit (the Peterson). My coaches had just gone over that in practice."

Perhaps the most excited champ was Brookside's Standen, a 20-3 junior with his first career tournament title. Standen stands 6-foot, which makes him a different matchup at 145 pounds. He won his final with a banana-split pin that requires significant leverage.

"I look at it (height) as good. You have your shorter kids you can't get shots on, but you learn how to manipulate kids with your tallness," he said.

Hoffman won 220 despite weighing 210. He said he likely will drop to 195.

"I got a lot better this year," said Hoffman, 21-4. "I trained, trained, trained and worked with guys that are better than me."

The tournament is expected to continue next year after Midpark merges with Berea.

It's unknown if the Chargers will grant the Browns permission to interview Pagano, their successful defensive coordinator.

Rob Chudzinski wants Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano to run his defense here, a source confirmed. But Pagano's availability is uncertain. Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer  

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Rob Chudzinski is dipping back into his Chargers past again for help in running his new football team.

After settling on former Chargers head coach Norv Turner to be his offensive coordinator, the Browns' new head coach is targeting Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano for the same position here, a source confirmed for The Plain Dealer.

Pagano as a likely replacement for Dick Jauron was first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter. Pagano, who primarily runs a 3-4 front, led the Chargers to a No. 9 ranking in his first season as defensive coordinator in 2012.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid asked for permission to interview Pagano, according to Schefter, but the Chargers -- who are still looking for a head coach -- wouldn't let him out of his contract. Reid went on to hire Jets linebackers coach Bob Sutton. It's unknown if the Chargers will grant the Browns permission to interview Pagano.

Chudzinski worked with Turner and Pagano during his two stints in San Diego, in 2005-06 as tight ends coach and 2009-10 as assistant head coach/tight ends. Turner is expected to be named offensive coordinator when he returns from a vacation in Hawaii with his family, a source told The Plain Dealer.

Pagano, 45, is the younger brother of Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, the former Browns assistant. When his brother was hired by the Colts last year, John Pagano spoke to the Indianapolis media on a conference call and provided some insight into their defensive philosophy.

View full size Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano is a big believer in multiple defensive fronts. NFL photo  

"It's funny because I got the same types of questions when I took the [job] in San Diego," John Pagano said. "They said I was a 3-4 guy, but I've coached in a 4-3 and a 3-4. We do multiple fronts and we have multiple looks. Baltimore was a 4-3 and a 3-4. They play those different types of hybrid defenses that really are game-changing types of defenses. Whatever your personnel suits you, you're going to be in certain types of fronts and certain types of coverages whether it's a 3-4 or a 4-3."

He went on to explain, "the biggest difference between a 4-3 and a 3-4 is that you have a lot more linebackers in a 3-4 and you have a little bit bigger linebackers who can stand up and come off the edge, which are just like 4-3 defensive ends. When you go to a sub package or a nickel package look, our outside linebackers here in San Diego are defensive ends. They are used to standing up and playing with their hands down. I would suggest multiple looks and multiple fronts."

The longest-tenured assistant on the Chargers' coaching staff, Pagano took over as coordinator in 2012 after four years as linebackers coach. He led the Chargers to a No. 6 rank against the run, and were 16th in points allowed.

He first joined the Chargers as a defensive quality control coach in 2002, after serving as a defensive assistant with the Saints and Colts. In 2010, Pagano helped coach the Chargers to a No. 1 ranking in total defense as the Bolts ranked second in sacks and fourth in run defense.

Besides star linebacker Shaun Phillips, Pagano worked closely with Shawne Merriman, who led the NFL in sacks in 2006, was selected to play in three Pro Bowls and won the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2005.

Chudzinski said his decision to run a 3-4, a 4-3, or hybrid defense would be dictated by the coordinator he hires.

"We're going to be an attacking style defense," Chudzinski said Friday. "We're going to create turnovers. That's what we want to do. We want to get after the quarterback and affect the quarterback's play. That's the No. 1 thing that you want to do as a defense.

"Whether that's a 4-3 or 3-4 and nowadays, there's a lot of hybrid systems out there, it'll tie in more with the coordinator that I'll hire, and I think we have the versatility of going either way."

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

BARBERTON, Ohio -- Despite lengthy histories, Barberton and North Royalton played boys basketball against one another for the first time on Saturday. The result probably left the fans of both schools wondering why that would be, and clamoring for a rematch.

BARBERTON, Ohio -- Despite lengthy histories, Barberton and North Royalton played boys basketball against one another for the first time on Saturday.

The result probably left the fans of both schools wondering why that would be, and clamoring for a rematch.

In a nonleague game that was as entertaining as it was intense, the host Magics scored their most impressive victory of the season when they dominated overtime and held on for a 65-56 victory that snapped the Bears' winning streak at 11.

Led by dynamic sophomore guard Joshua Williams' 29 points, the Magics, ranked 22nd in The Plain Dealer Top 25, raised their record to 8-2. The Bears, ranked 14th, slipped to 11-1.

"It was a good high school game," said North Royalton coach Tim Matus, whose team was outscored, 12-3, in overtime. "Either team could have won. We just made a few bad decisions and needed to make one more play."

Both teams had a shot at winning in regulation. Barberton had a 51-48 lead with 1:40 remaining, but 6-7 freshman Omari Spellman (12 points, 4 rebounds, two blocks) tied the game by converting a three-point play.

Junior Logan Chuppa gave the Bears a 53-51 lead with nine seconds to play when he made a running 10-footer just to the left of the lane. Not to be outdone, Barberton senior Jerry Williams (10 points, seven rebounds) scored on a putback of a missed shot by his younger brother, tying the game as time expired.

Josh Williams gave the Magics a lead they never relinquished when he stole the ball and made two free throws to open the overtime.

The Bears missed a shot on the ensuing possession, and Josh Williams got the rebound. That led to a basket by Sabol that extended the lead to 57-53.

Chuppa got the Bears back into it when he was fouled on a 3-point attempt and made the three foul shots. Jerry Williams followed with another putback, and Sabol hit a 3-pointer that made it 62-56 with 1:16 remaining. Josh Williams added the finishing touches with a free throw and a basket.

"We knew they were a good team and it would be a tough game," said Josh Williams. "This is a big step for us. It showed we can come together as a team and win a big game, and maybe it will lead to more big wins."

The victory was a huge boost for the Magics, who defeated a team in The Plain Dealer Top 25 for the third time this season.

"It's getting to the point of the season where you want to find out what you are capable of doing," said Barberton coach Ken Rector, in his 17th season. "We have a bunch of tough games coming up, and this one gave us some indication of what we might be able to do."

Spellman, a transfer from New York, led the Bears with 12 points. Nick Krempasky and Evan Wypasek had 10 points each.

LYNDHURST, Ohio -- Several factors need to come together to make a great basketball game. The teams have to be playing well, the coaches have to be prepared and communicating, the crowd has to be loud and engaged.

LYNDHURST, Ohio -- Several factors need to come together to make a great basketball game.

The teams have to be playing well, the coaches have to be prepared and communicating, the crowd has to be loud and engaged.

And the power has to be working.

All except the latter were present Saturday at Brush High when the lights went out just as the teams were taking the court for the fourth quarter. At the time, the Arcs were leading Cuyahoga Falls, 50-46, in a key Northeast Ohio Conference River Division boys basketball game.

According to CEI, a power outage occurred that affected parts of Lyndhurst and Euclid. The teams waited about 20 minutes before it was decided to postpone the fourth quarter and finish the game at a later date.

"It was a very entertaining and good game with a lot of adjustments on both sides," said Brush coach Jayson Macauda. "It's too bad for the people who were in the stands that we weren't able to finish it."

Neither team led by more than six points. The third quarter was especially entertaining, as Brush's Delvon Robinson had 16 points, and the teams traded baskets for much of the period.

"We're where we want to be," Black Tigers coach Rob Slone said. "We're down four, but for the most part, we've controlled the tempo of the game. We haven't given them the opportunity to get out and do crazy running."

This is the third time Slone has been coaching a game that was postponed because of a power outage. He said it happened two years ago at Mayfield, and several years ago when he was coaching at Lakewood and the Rangers were playing neighborhood rival St. Edward.

The postponement was a first for Macauda.

The game already had been rescheduled once. It was originally slated to be played Friday, Jan. 18, but Macauda requested it be changed for personal reasons, and Slone agreed. The coaches discussed options Saturday, but nothing was decided.

"With a 22-game schedule, it's difficult to find a place to finish this," Slone said. "We moved once, which is fine. But now we're going to be scrambling. I play every Tuesday and Friday. It might be something we end up playing at noon. For a quarter, whatever it takes."

Joe Magill is a freelance writer in Auburn Township.

Sure, Rob Chudzinski has plenty of ideas about the Browns. So does our veteran NE Ohio columnist.

View full size One of Terry Pluto's prime suggestions for the Browns' new coach? Find a way to keep Phil Dawson kicking along the shores of Lake Erie. John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer  

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hmmm, what could we possibly be talking about this weekend?

Something for a new Browns coach to consider ...

At the Rob Chudzinski news conference, he didn't want to talk about individual players, which makes sense since he hasn't met most of them. But I can pass some thoughts on to the coach:

1. Hope you can make it work with Brandon Weeden. The Browns don't need another quarterback change, especially since there doesn't appear to be many top prospects in the draft. All fans ever see is a new coach and a new quarterback. Weeden has some talent, bring it out.

2. You probably have two quality backup quarterbacks in Colt McCoy and Thad Lewis. Look closely at the final game against the Steelers and some preseason games ... Lewis may surprise you.

3. Please don't go to a "pure" 3-4 defense. The Browns have spent three years adding linemen who play the 4-3, and are weak at linebacker. Not sure what a "hybrid" means when it comes to your defense, just make sure you don't waste the line's depth. You have talked about being able to adapt to talent on offense; do the same on defense.

4. Never thought I'd write this, but consider keeping Chris Tabor as special teams coach. He had a miserable rookie season in 2011, but the Browns ranked No. 2 (behind Baltimore) in the NFL this year, according to Football Outsiders. Late in the season, kicker Phil Dawson raved about Tabor, saying how he's grown as a coach and done an excellent job with a very young special teams unit.

5. Keep Dawson. There should not be any discussion about retaining the free-agent kicker.

6. Cornerbacks and safeties. You need both. You have two starters -- Joe Haden and T.J. Ward. The rest are backups.

7. Hope you add a veteran receiver to join Josh Gordon and Greg Little. Pay special attention to Little, who really improved the second half of the season. Travis Benjamin can be a deep threat as a part-time receiver and return man on special teams.

8. You are a former tight end coach. See if you can get more out of Jordan Cameron, who seems to have the ability to be an impact receiver. With Alex Smith and Ben Watson as free agents, he's your only tight end.

9. Mohamed Massaquoi is a free agent. Let him go. Yes, he will be the final member of the 2009 lost second-round draft -- the others previously released were Brian Robiskie and David Veikune. You can't allow three second-round picks to be wasted like that.

10. Correction: I was wrong when I wrote that Mike Lombardi played a role in drafting JaMarcus Russell with the Oakland Raiders. Lombardi was leaving the organization as the 2007 draft was unfolding, and had no influence on that disaster of a No. 1 pick. Lombardi still seems to be in the running for some type of position with the Browns in the player personnel department.

About Bernie Kosar ...

View full size Bernie Kosar is a big believer in the treatment of doctor Rick Sponaugle in Kosar's efforts to deal with the effects of NFL concussions. All Terry Pluto knows is that it's a relief to see Kosar doing better. Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer  

I'm not going to enter the debate about Dr. Rick Sponaugle, who is treating Bernie Kosar. He runs the Florida Detox and Wellness Clinic, which treats people with addiction problems, head injuries and other issues.

I do know I wrote a story in April 2010, when Kosar revealed his problem with concussions for the first time. Find the story at tinyurl.com/279fwfa

I do know Kosar is doing much better now than even a month ago. His longtime friend, Tami Longaberger, told me, "He has been like a new man lately." Losing almost 40 pounds helped, as did the vitamins he's now taking. But he believes the treatments are a major factor.

This much is certain. Kosar took a tremendous beating playing quarterback for the Browns. He estimates at least a dozen concussions, his doctors believe it was even more. And the struggles of Kosar and others show that we simply can't say, "He just got dinged," when a player is hit in the head.

About the Tribe ...

View full size Trevor Bauer's absence from a recent column on Indians pitching in 2013 was an oversight. The former Diamondback should be with the big team sometime this summer. Ross D. Franklin, Associated Press  

1. Last week, I failed to mention Trevor Bauer as a candidate for the Tribe's rotation coming out of spring training. He is in the mix, but one of the reasons the Tribe signed Brett Myers is so they don't have to rush Bauer into the rotation. He's pitched only 172 innings, 161/3 innings in the majors. He'll turn 22 on Jan. 17.

2. Tribe manager Terry Francona and General Manager Chris Antonetti watched Bauer's workouts at a training facility in Texas last week. They didn't see anything that was especially extreme, and they had some in-depth talks about his training techniques. They don't think his approach to training will be an issue, as it was with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

3. The Tribe learned that Bauer was bothered by a groin injury for most of the second half of last season. That is part of the reason he was 1-2 with a 6.06 ERA for Arizona in four starts. He was 12-2 with a 2.40 ERA at Class AA and AAA last season.

4. So the rotation has three spots set -- Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez and Myers. Competing for the final two spots are Zach McAllister and Carlos Carrasco -- both likely to make the team -- followed by Corey Kluber, Scott Kazmir and Bauer. The Indians expect Bauer to be in the big leagues at some point in 2013.

5. Russ Canzler is now with the Yankees, who claimed him off waivers from the Tribe. After signing Nick Swisher, the Indians said they had to decide between Canzler and Cord Phelps for the final 40-man roster spot. They thought Phelps (.276, 16 homers, .820 OPS at Class AAA) was more likely to be claimed on waivers. Phelps, 25, is a second baseman. Canzler, 26, plays first and the outfield, but struggles defensively. He hit .265 with 22 homers in Class AAA, then .269 with three homers for the Tribe in 93 at-bats.

6. This winter, Canzler has been put on waivers by the Tribe and claimed by Toronto, waived by Toronto and claimed by the Tribe. The Indians thought no one would claim Canzler this time -- because only Toronto put in a claim during the first waiver period. The Tribe's goal was to slip Canzler through waivers, sign him to a minor-league contract and bring him to spring training.

7. The other problem with the Tribe's roster is they have three pitchers (Josh Tomlin, Brandon Wood and Chen Lee) all recovering from arm surgeries. They won't be ready for the opener, but the Tribe likes all three and didn't want to risk losing them on waivers to a team that would keep them on the 40-man roster as they recover.

8. The Yankees are looking for a right-handed hitter (partly to replace Swisher, a switch hitter) and Canzler has a decent chance to make their team.

9. While left-hander David Huff would like to start, the Indians plan to stress to him that he's out of minor-league options. With Tony Sipp and Raffy Perez gone, they need lefties in the bullpen. A job is waiting as Huff will compete with fellow lefties Nick Hagadone and Scott Barnes for two spots. Huff is 28, so now is the time to find a role that keeps him in the majors.

10. In another roster decision, the Tribe kept Huff over Jeanmar Gomez, who was traded to the Pirates for Class AA outfielder Quincy Latimore (.252, 15 HR, 71 RBI, .754 OPS). He is 23, a right-handed hitter and considered a so-so prospect. The Tribe is desperate for outfielders at the upper levels of the farm system.

About the Cavaliers ...

View full size Tristan Thompson (dunking on Denver's JaVale McGee) has averaged a double double since Anderson Varejao was sidelined. Barry Gutierrez, Associated Press  

1. Heading into the season, the Cavs thought they could end up with their first-round pick (probably will be high) and perhaps a pick in the 15 to 22 range from the Lakers. It's complicated, but the Cavs have a deal where they either receive the Lakers' pick or Miami's pick. But if the Lakers miss the playoffs -- something no one imagined -- then the Cavs get Miami's first-round pick.

2. The Lakers were five games out of the final Western Conference playoff spot heading into the weekend. They are horrible defensively, and new coach Mike D'Antoni is not a coach who stresses that part of the game. Guess firing Mike Brown after that 1-4 start didn't fix things. At this point, the Lakers are heading to the draft lottery.

3. There is a complicated stat called "Defensive Efficiency." The bottom line is that the bottom six teams in this category (25 to 30) are Dallas, Phoenix, New Orleans, the Cavs, Sacramento and Charlotte. The six teams entered the weekend with a combined 67-143 record, the best was Dallas at 14-23. So the fact that the Lakers rank 21st in defensive efficiency shows they are in huge trouble -- and so are the Cavs, in terms of securing the higher pick.

4. The Cavs will have their own first-round pick, and (assuming the Lakers miss the playoffs) a first-rounder that belongs to the Heat. With Anderson Varejao out for at least six weeks with surgery on a "split" muscle of his leg, winning will continue to be difficult. But just as damaging, the Cavs probably can't trade Varejao near the Feb. 21 deadline -- as this is his third serious injury in the past three seasons.

5. You can argue they should have traded Varejao in the summer -- in case he was injured again. The Cavs thought Varejao was headed for a big season. He was averaging 14.4 rebounds (still No. 1 in the NBA) and 14.1 points, so the Cavs were right about him being productive. But he needs to be on the floor to do so.

6. So the Cavs will probably go into the off-season with Varejao on the roster. The reason for the delay in the surgery is that the first MRI exam did not show a significant split in the muscle because of the swelling around it. A second MRI taken six days later when the swelling had gone down revealed the need for surgery.

7. It's hard to know if Tristan Thompson's rise (13.1 points, 11.5 rebounds) is purely a product of him playing without Varejao. Yes, more rebounds are available, especially since starting center Tyler Zeller needs to work on his rebounding.

8. But the Cavs also believe all the hard work Thompson put in is paying off. He usually is one of the last to leave the practice floor. It has helped to sometimes practice against 7-3 Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who is the team's assistant general manager. After facing Ilgauskas in some 1-on-1 teaching sessions, other centers look smaller. If Thompson turns into the 12-point, 10-rebound man the Cavs hope he can be, it enables them to consider trading Varejao this summer. After this season, Varejao has two more years left on his contract at $9 million and $9.7 million. Those are very reasonable numbers for a big man who can rebound and defend.

I will be speaking at The Plain Dealer on Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. during a program called "Faith and Dessert." I will be talking about my faith writing, including my new book, "Faith and You -- Volume 2." And yes, there will be dessert. Also, there will be some free books given away. The cost is $10 per person. For information, call 216-999-4028. Or check plaindealer.com/terry

Colin Kaepernick ran for a quarterback playoff record 181 yards and two touchdowns and threw two scoring passes to Michael Crabtree in leading the San Francisco 49ers back to the NFC championship game with a 45-31 victory against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) passes against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter of an NFC divisional playoff NFL football game in San Francisco, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)  

SAN FRANCISCO — Colin Kaepernick ran for a quarterback playoff record 181 yards and two touchdowns and threw two scoring passes to Michael Crabtree in leading the San Francisco 49ers back to the NFC championship game with a 45-31 victory against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night.

Playoff first-timer Kaepernick outshined reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers, who never got in sync for the Packers (12-6) in finishing 26 of 39 for 257 yards with two touchdowns.

Kaepernick ran for scores of 20 and 56 yards on the way to topping the rushing mark of 119 yards set by Michael Vick in 2005 against St. Louis. Crabtree caught TD passes of 12 and 20 yards in the second quarter and wound up with nine receptions and 119 yards for the Niners (12-4-1) in the NFC divisional matchup.

San Francisco had 579 total yards, 323 on the ground.

Kaepernick, the second-year pro out of Nevada who supplanted Alex Smith at quarterback in a much-debated move by coach Jim Harbaugh, shook off an interception that Sam Shields ran back 52 yards for a touchdown on San Francisco's first possession to twice rally the 49ers from a TD behind.

Kaepernick's 56-yard TD run on a read-option keeper in the third quarter — the longest by a quarterback in franchise history — gave the 49ers a 31-24 lead. He stopped in the end zone and flexed his right arm, smiling all the way back to the sideline.

The scores mark the fourth time in NFL history a player had two touchdowns rushing and two touchdowns passing in a postseason game.

Kaepernick also led another drive that David Akers finished with a 36-yard field goal to put the 49ers ahead 24-21 as the first half ended.

Frank Gore also ran for a 2-yard touchdown 3 seconds into the fourth quarter to extend San Francisco's lead to 38-24.

Rodgers rallied the Packers after tossing his own interception. The former Cal star threw a 20-yard scoring strike to James Jones, and DaJuan Harris ran for an 18-yard touchdown.

The amped-up crowd at Candlestick Park endured a flurry of emotions at the start.

With San Francisco looking to return to the NFC title game for the second straight season, Kaepernick's costly error quieted the 49ers faithful. Shields stepped in front of Kaepernick's pass, shook the quarterback to the ground and scampered down the sideline to give the Packers a quick 7-0 lead.

Kaepernick unclipped his jaw strap and dropped his head to the sideline while Shields waved his hands at the crowd. Rodgers pumped his fist on the Packers sideline.

Kaepernick converted two third downs to bring the 49ers back on their next drive. He bought time and scurried out of the pocket to find running back Gore for a 45-yard gain, then darted 20 yards up the middle on third-and-8 for the tying score.

When Rodgers and the Packers offense finally took the field, they didn't do much the first time out. San Francisco stopped Rodgers, who had a contingent of friends and family make the 4-hour trek from his hometown of Chico, on a three-and-out that whipped the crowd back into a frenzy on a crisp night along the bay.

Rodgers found his groove and floated a 44-yard pass that Jones leaped to snatch over two defenders along the sideline. Then Harris broke through the middle to put the Packers up 14-7 on the next play.

Green Bay made its share of mistakes, too.

Jeremy Ross muffed a punt and Chris Spillman recovered at the Packers' 9. Three plays later, Kaepernick found Crabtree running free over the middle for a tying 12-yard touchdown pass.

San Francisco's stout defense often took a linebacker off the field to drop an extra defensive back in coverage against Rodgers, just as the 49ers did in a 30-22 win in the season opener at Lambeau Field. The strategy flustered Rodgers enough that he overthrew Jordy Nelson on a deep pass that Tarrell Brown intercepted. Rodgers had gone 184 passes without an interception.

Kaepernick broke another 15-yard run on third down, but officials whistled him for a 15-yard taunting penalty for tossing the ball in the direction of Green Bay defenders. He brushed that off to hit Crabtree on a 20-yard touchdown pass to give the 49ers a 21-14 lead midway through the second quarter.

On its next series, Green Bay took advantage of a 15-yard personal foul penalty Dashon Goldson was given for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Harris. Rodgers then threaded a tying 20-yard TD to Jones between three defenders in the end zone with 2:33 remaining. Kaepernick responded and led the 49ers downfield to give the struggling Akers, who had to beat out Billy Cundiff to keep his job, a chance.

Rodgers led the Packers on a nine-play 76-yard drive midway through the third quarter. Mason Crosby kicked a 31-yard field to tie the game at 24 in the third quarter

Rob Chudzinski needs to learn from his predecessor and take a global view as Browns' head coach, Bud Shaw writes in his Sunday Spin.

View full size Sure, Rob Chudzinski will have plenty on his hands as the Browns' head coach. But that doesn't mean he needs to have his fingers in every on-field decision, writes Bud Shaw. Lonnie Timmons III, The Plain Dealer  

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The job looks big but that's an illusion. It's gigantic...

Norv Turner as offensive coordinator would be a good start for new Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski. It's even more important because it would allow Chudzinski to relinquish the play calling duties.

Too many coordinators get jobs because of their expertise on one side of the ball and naturally cling to what they believe they do best -- Pat Shurmur, come on down -- at the expense of the thousand other issues they need to address to become a good head coach.

You could argue an even better start for Chudzinski would be to keep defensive coordinator Dick Jauron and tend to the difficult tasks of organizing a training camp, commanding a locker room, managing a game -- name it -- without presiding over a defensive overhaul, too. But Chudzinski appears to prefer a more attacking defense than Jauron espouses, so CEO Joe Banner won't stand in his way on that decision.

So the next best thing is not repeating Shurmur's mistake in taking on too much. It was especially fatal for Shurmur given the lockout and compromised off-season. He was teaching a new (young) quarterback the West Coast offense. He couldn't find the coordinator he wanted the first year. The next year, with Brad Childress aboard, he was coaching for his job.

There were reasons he kept the play calling duties. But it's advisable for any first-time head coach to run a team, not just an offense.

Chudzinski is here because of his adaptability and creativity on offense, but the job description is much bigger. This is one of the youngest teams in the league. His is another new offense. The Browns point out they interviewed on both sides of the ball and that Chudzinski just happened to be an offensive coach. They say he can master the big picture. Obviously, though, they wanted a bright young offensive mind, given the NFL trend toward touch football.

Understandable but not necessary.

The Ravens didn't hire John Harbaugh because they wanted to improve their special teams. The Steelers didn't hire Mike Tomlin because they wanted him to fix the defense. Tomlin took the job and kept defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau even though the two believed in entirely different defensive schemes. Tomlin kept much of Bill Cowher's staff, including Bruce Arians, whom Tomlin promoted to offensive coordinator.

I get that the Steelers were only a year removed from the Super Bowl and -- in LeBeau's case -- the defense would've conducted a mutiny if he were sent packing. I also get that the Browns' defense isn't nearly as accomplished or as veteran as the Steelers were in 2007.

So if Chudzinski is going to look the part as head coach, he must be allowed to bring in a defensive coordinator who teaches the hybrid, attacking style he believes is the future.

It's just as true that to look the part, he can't just preside over one side of the ball.

The Browns better have hired Chudzinski because they see a head coach. Because we've seen enough of glorified coordinators.

SPINOFFS

View full size Sure, Rob Chudzinski and Jimmy Haslam are smiling. But Joe Banner (far left)? Well, maybe it's a New Year's resolution ... Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer  

• Kudos to Plain Dealer photographer Chuck Crow who attended Friday's press conference in Berea and delivered a picture of Banner smiling for the Saturday sports page.

Next on my bucket list: someday seeing a picture of a Yeti, followed by The Holy Grail, a Cleveland coach hoisting a trophy.

• Heard concern last week that Banner was relatively inexperienced in hiring head coaches, Andy Reid being his only hire in 14 years. Good point. Should've brought in a serial hirer like Randy Lerner to show him how to do it.

• The Cowboys will apparently miss fired defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's energy so much they replaced him with 72-year-old Monte Kiffin.

• The Colley Matrix, one of the six computers that tabulate BCS rankings, still had Notre Dame ranked No. 1 over Alabama even after the Tide beat the Irish, 42-14, in the national championship game.

The Colley Matrix also had me No. 1 on the list of Best Abs.

• Mike Tyson will appear in an episode of "Law & Order: SVU," playing a convict and victim of a difficult childhood.

And they call that acting.

• Bullet Catcher, a 4-year-old, threw his jockey and bolted from Laurel (Md.) Park Race Track. He was eventually caught a mile away outside a car dealership after being spotted along heavily traveled Route 1 running at 30 miles an hour.

That's half as he would've run if he'd known the definition of "gelding."

• Lance Armstrong is expected to admit to doping when he appears with Oprah Winfrey this coming week. In what should be tense, riveting television, she is expected to admits she's really, really disappointed in him.

• Washington Redskins fan Michael Torbert announced the retirement of The Hogettes, saying that 30 years was "enough of guys in big snouts and dresses."

As if that ever goes out of style.

• The Browns interviewed Ray Horton, Ken Whisenhunt, Bill O'Brien, Chip Kelly, Doug Marrone, Marc Trestman, Mike Zimmer and Chudzinski. They conducted "four or five" second interviews, according to Banner.

The interview net cast by Mike Holmgren two years ago included Shurmur, Mike Mularkey and Perry Fewell. Shurmur lasted two years, Mularkey one in Jacksonville and Fewell is still looking for a head coaching job.

#nailedit

• Poor Chudzinski. He gets hired and a couple Internet sports sites run a story on the hiring with a picture of Mike Shula instead. Then Jimmy Haslam introduces him Friday by saying he's from Canton when he's really from Toledo.

No worries. They will get it right when they build him that statue.

• New Jacksonville GM David Caldwell says he cannot imagine "a scenario where (Tim Tebow) would be a Jacksonville Jaguar."

Tebow is a polarizing figure. Not because of his religion, because most every pass he throws is a prayer.

• Derek Anderson's name has come up since he excelled here in 2007 under Chudzinski and was in Carolina with Chud the past couple years. No one here will forget Anderson called Browns' fans "ruthless" and said they "don't deserve to win" in an email to the News-Herald in 2010.

What they should remember is he apologized two days later in an email to Cleveland media and admitted frustration got the best of him.

If anybody should understand frustration, it's Browns fans, right?

• Anderson, by the way, was born in June, 1983 -- making him a whopping four months older than second-year Browns' QB Brandon Weeden.

HE SAID IT

View full size Poor guy ... Rob Ryan is clearly suffering a crisis of confidence these days. AP file  

"I'll be out of work for like five minutes." -- Rob Ryan, fired as defensive coordinator in Dallas.

Fat chance. That's not nearly long enough for him to explain to his next employer just how good he is.

YOU SAID IT

(The Expanded Sunday Edition)

"Hey Bud:

"How does your warm-up for Shaw's Spin compare to new Indians' pitcher Trevor Bauer's?" -- Russ

I bring twice the effort and half the IQ.

"Bud:

"Rob Chudzinski proudly tells of facing his TV toward the window so he could watch Browns' games in the elements to simulate a Dawg Pound experience. Does this suggest he'll fit in well as a Spin reader, since most of us don't have the good sense to come in out of the rain?" -- Vince G, Cincinnati

If Chud ever publicly admits to reading Spin, that will be two of you.

"Bud:

"Instead of the pistol or shotgun formation, will the Browns' new offense operate out of the Chud missile?" -- Tom Goldy

If it just operates, that will be an improvement.

"Hey Mailer:

"Who looks more annoyed? Joe Banner answering questions from the media or you having to answer my bird bath deep thoughts in Spin every week?" -- Devin, Concord

If you could see my face, Banner by comparison looks like he's just been flashed by the Saints' cheerleaders at Mardi Gras.

"Bud:

"I'm just like Rob Chudzinski. I turn my TV around to watch the Browns." -- Ryan N

First-time "You Said It" winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.

"Bud:

"Is this the same Rob Chudzinski I always see on commercials for The Original Mattress Factory?" -- Jon, Independence

Repeat winners get sacked.

"Hey Bud:

"Is it true that in honor of the Browns' perpetual rebuilding, they are painting brown and white stripes on the orange barrels at all the construction sites around the city?" -- Vince G, Cincinnati

Repeat winners get flagged.

"Bud:

"Is it true that after his long layoff from baseball, Grady Sizemore has now been diagnosed with a 'Hiatus Hernia?'" -- Jim Corrigan

Repeat winners should consult their doctors.

On Twitter: @budshaw

Karl Stollery, Paul Carey and Dean Strong score for the Monsters.

Lake Erie got goals from Karl Stollery, Paul Carey and Dean Strong to hold off the host Houston Aeros, 3-2, on Saturday night in the Toyota Center.

Goalie Sami Aittokallio had 26 saves for the Monsters (20-16-2-1).

Strong's goal, his fourth of the season, came on a power play at 15:45 of the third period.

Lake Erie 1 0 2--3

Houston 1 0 1--2

FIRST PERIOD: 1, Lake Erie, Stollery 3 (Strong), 7:37. 2, Houston, Zucker 16 (Coyle, Fredheim), 14:01 (PP). Penalties-Mara Hou (closing hand on puck), 0:37; Stollery Le (tripping), 10:36; Agozzino Le (tripping), 13:46; Medvec Hou (elbowing), 14:08.

SECOND PERIOD: No Scoring.Penalties-Agozzino Le (hooking), 10:14; Strong Le (delay of game), 12:13.

THIRD PERIOD: 3, Lake Erie, Carey 6 (Beaupre, Thomas), 9:08. 4, Houston, Larsson 10 (Genoway, Fredheim), 14:15 (PP). 5, Lake Erie, Strong 4 (Lauridsen, Pock), 15:45 (PP). Penalties-Coyle Hou (tripping), 4:57; Sutherby Le (boarding), 9:24; Lauridsen Le (high-sticking), 13:07; Reed Hou (holding), 14:42.

Goalies: Lake Erie, Aittokallio (28 shots-26 saves); Houston, Kuemper (32-29). Shots on goal: Lake Erie 7-13-12--32; Houston 12-5-11--28. Power plays: Lake Erie 1-4; Houston 2-6. Ref: McIsaac. Linesmen: Hudy, Wilkinson. A: 9,291.

St. Edward's basketball team was a little under the weather, but it refused to let a touch of the flu ruin its Saturday night. The Eagles (9-3), ranked No. 2 in The Plain Dealer Top 25, pulled out a 69-66 nonleague home victory against ever-improving Beachwood.

St. Edward's basketball team was a little under the weather, but it refused to let a touch of the flu ruin its Saturday night.

The Eagles (9-3), ranked No. 2 in The Plain Dealer Top 25, pulled out a 69-66 nonleague home victory against ever-improving Beachwood.

Tony Vuyancih and Marsalis Hamilton missed Tuesday's win against Firestone due to the bug, but they made up for lost time by scoring 15 and 12 points, respectively. The Bison (7-2), ranked 13th in the area and eighth in the Division III state poll, had John Davis III pour in a game-high 34 points.

No. 3 Mentor 85, Eastlake North 51: The Rangers never stood a chance against the Cardinals (10-2), ranked 12th in Division I, because Mentor clicked for a school-record 22 3-pointers. Caleb Potter and Conner Krizancic combined for 47 of the Cardinals' points.

No. 5. Villa Angela-St. Joseph 95, Dalton 46: The Vikings (8-2) opened by scoring the first eight points of the nonleague game, then put it on cruise control as Duane Gibson had a solid all-around game with nine points, 13 assists, five steals and five blocks.

Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy 66, Gilmour Academy 65: Bob Peters' foul shot with no time left made the difference in the nonleague home game for the Royals (9-2). Peters finished with 33 points, while David Linane countered with 27 for the Lancers.

Girls basketball

No. 2 Hathaway Brown 59, No. 14 Solon 55: The defending Division II state champion Blazers (11-3) claimed a nonleague home win. Cornell recruit Nia Marshall provided a huge spark with 25 points for HB, ranked third in the state poll. Solon (9-3), ranked 14th in Division I, had Kristen Confroy tally a team-best 20 points.

No. 4 St. Joseph Academy 73, Glenville 52: The Jaguars (14-0), ranked No. 8 in the Division I state poll, sprinted to a 29-9 first-quarter lead to stay unbeaten. Katie Battaglia, who garnered a team-leading 16 points, contributed to SJA's early lead by sinking four 3-pointers in the first eight minutes. Glenville was led by Latrice Legion's game-high 25 points.

No. 5 Walsh Jesuit 75, No. 7 Archbishop Hoban 62: The Warriors (10-2, 5-0) sealed the deal and took over first place in the North Coast League Blue Division by outscoring Hoban, 28-18, in the final quarter, as Lilli Piper finished with a game-high 23 points.

No. 12 St. Vincent-St. Mary 67, Kenmore 50: Shannon Jack, Jordan Korinek and Amelia Motz totaled 20, 18 and 13 points, respectively, as the Fighting Irish (10-4) easily handled host Kenmore in the nonleague game.

No. 15 Stow 58, No. 9 Medina 52: The Bulldogs (11-3) got big games from Madi Baer (18 points, 15 rebounds), Abbie Lawson (10 points, four assists) and Samantha Shaver (15 points, seven rebounds, three assists) in a big Northeast Ohio Conference crossover-game triumph.

West Geauga 47, No. 19 Aurora 43: After starting the season with eight straight wins, the Greenmen (8-3, 3-3) have dropped their past three games, all in the Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division. West Geauga (6-8, 2-4), which led, 14-5, after one quarter and never let up, had Brianne Goodrich and Caitlin Curtis score 13 and 12 points, respectively.

No. 20 Tallmadge 46, Cloverleaf 35: The Blue Devils (9-3, 5-2) fell behind, 9-0, but came back to stay in the Suburban League title race as Kelsey Rice accounted for six points, eight steals, seven rebounds, four assists and four blocks. Halle Allen added 18 points, five steals and three assists, while Kirsten Lightel chipped in 12 points, five rebounds and four steals.

No. 25 Manchester 74, Tuscarawas Valley 47: The Panthers (13-3, 7-0) kept their grasp of first place in the Principals Athletic Conference as Alex Klein collected 22 points, nine rebounds, four steals, two assists and a block, while Karley Dougherty added 20 points, four steals, two assists and a block, as the duo combined for five of their team's six 3-pointers.

Fairview 55, Black River 20 : The Warriors (11-2, 6-2) outscored Black River, 30-9, in the second half to run their winning streak to seven games with the Patriot Athletic Conference crossover-game victory. Katie Smith's 13 points, along with 12 points by Megan Coyne, led Fairview.

Kirtland 52, Fairport 30: The Hornets (10-3, 6-0) broke open a close game when they held a 17-0 scoring advantage in the third quarter to remain atop the standings in the Chagrin Valley Conference County Division. Alexa Knezevic was 7-of-8 from 3-point range en route to a game-best 24 points.

Euclid 65, Maple Heights 33: The Panthers (10-3, 6-1) remained in the race for the Lake Erie League championship as Erin Haislah finished with a game-high 15 points. Armani Davis added nine points, while Amanda Gibson and Rachelle White scored eight points each to help lead a balanced attack.

Cleveland Heights 60, Warren Harding 38: The Tigers (9-4, 6-1) are still atop the LEL with Euclid and Shaw, thanks to a 21-9 second-half scoring advantage and Ashanti Abshaw's 23 points.

Boys swimming

Midwest Prep Invitational: Kiski School edged Western Reserve Academy, 177-153, for the team title despite the efforts of WRA's Jonathan Depew, John Ainikkal and Eric Lugg. All three teamed up with Kevin Ly to win the 200 medley relay in 1:48.43, while Depew, Ainikkal, Ly and Shyam Patnaik made up the victorious 400 free relay (3:41.78). Lugg reigned in the 200 free (2:04.66), Ainikkal topped the field in the 50 free (24.56) and Depew won the 100 free (53.06).

Hockey

Gilmour Academy 3, St. Edward 2 (OT): Nick Panzo scored the game-winning goal after a pass from Ryan Curtin, which was initiated when Calvin Bleick worked the puck out of the zone. Curtin accounted for two assists in the Holy Cross Cup victory.

Kenston 3, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy 2: Ben Kinney's two goals and a single tally by Ryan Herpy led the Bombers past CVCA.

Center Greg Oden deserves a chance to make it on an NBA roster, and the dearth of centers in the NBA makes it likely someone will give him another shot.

View full size Greg Oden hasn't played since 2009, but if he is physically able to play next season, teams likely will line up to sign him. Colin E Braley, Associated Press  

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

There have been rumors for some time that former Ohio State star and No. 1 NBA draft choice Greg Oden has been eyeing a comeback. The latest report this week, from former Plain Dealer reporter Brian Windhorst, now with ESPN.com, is that the Miami Heat and several other teams are interested in signing Oden to a multiyear deal even though he hasn't played at all since 2009 and has never played a full NBA season.

But true centers have become so rare that NBA personnel folks are willing to overlook his multiple injuries on both knees -- and the fact he admitted he became an alcoholic -- to give him another shot.

From all accounts, he deserves it. People who knew him at Ohio State and Portland loved him. He has worked hard to recover on all fronts and has been taking classes at Ohio State.

Here in Cleveland, we have seen first-hand that a player thought to be injury-prone -- Zydrunas Ilgauskas -- can recover completely to become a two-time All-Star and the all-time franchise leader in games played.

Oden deserves that chance, too.

Highlights include Michigan at Ohio State basketball and Cavaliers at Lakers.

Today's TV sports listings

BULL RIDING

8 p.m. PBR Built Ford Tough Series (tape), CBSSN

GOLF

9 a.m. Volvo Champions (tape), Golf Channel

7 p.m. Sony Open, Golf Channel

HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY

3:30 p.m.* Avon vs. Midview, AM/930

*-joined in progress

MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

1:30 p.m. Michigan at OHIO STATE, WOIO; AM/970

5:30 p.m. Iowa at Northwestern, ESPNU

8 p.m. Maryland at Miami (Fla.), ESPNU

NBA

9:30 p.m. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS at L.A. Lakers, Fox Sports Ohio; AM/1100

NFL PLAYOFFS DIVISIONAL ROUND

1 p.m. Seattle at Atlanta, WJW

4:30 p.m. Houston at New England, WOIO

TENNIS

6:30 p.m. Australian Open, first round, ESPN2

3 a.m. (Mon.) Australian Open, first round, ESPN2

WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

11:30 a.m. Tennessee at Florida, ESPNU

Noon Lafayette at Navy, CBSSN

12:30 p.m. Oklahoma State at Texas, Fox Sports Ohio

1:30 p.m. Kentucky at Missouri, ESPNU

2 p.m. Fordham at Charlotte, CBSSN

2 p.m. Nebraska at Penn State, ESPN2

2 p.m. Toledo at Bowling Green, SportsTime Ohio

2 p.m. Wisconsin at Michigan, Big Ten Network

2:30 p.m. Baylor at Kansas, Fox Sports Ohio

3:30 p.m. Rutgers at Notre Dame, ESPNU

4 p.m. California at Stanford, ESPN2

4 p.m. Michigan State at Illinois, Big Ten Network

4 p.m. San Diego State at Colorado State, CBSSN

4:30 p.m. Southern Miss. at Memphis, Fox Sports Ohio

Here are six things to watch – three for each of Sunday's divisional playoff matchups – as four teams battle to get one step closer to the Super Bowl.

Here are six things to watch – three for each of Sunday's divisional playoff matchups – as four teams battle to get one step closer to the Super Bowl:

Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. EST

1. White and Jones vs. Sherman and Browner

Atlanta Falcons' Julio Jones (11) gets a hug from teammate Roddy White (84) following Jones' touchdown against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011. (AP File Photo/Bob Leverone)





 

The one-on-one battles between the Falcons' dynamic wide receivers and the Seahawks' physical cornerbacks are going to be incredibly fun to watch and may play a big part in deciding which team advances to the NFC Championship Game.

This is a classic strength vs. strength matchup. Roddy White (92 receptions for 1,351 yards) and Julio Jones (79 for 1,198) are the top receiving duo in the NFL, headlining a Falcons passing attack that ranked sixth in the league this season. Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner have combined for 11 interceptions this year, playing a very physical style that fuels the Seahawks' sixth-ranked pass defense.

White and Jones have scored 17 receiving touchdowns between them, while Seattle surrendered only 15 scores through the air all season.

Something's got to give.

2. Big-play Asante

For all their regular-season success in the last five seasons, the Falcons have yet to figure out how to win in the postseason. Atlanta has come up short in three consecutive playoff appearances with Matt Ryan at quarterback, including blowout losses in each of the last two years.

When they traded for cornerback Asante Samuel in the offseason, they added a player who knows how to win in the playoffs and does his best work when the Super Bowl hunt is on. Of his 50 career interceptions, Samuel has returned six for touchdowns. But he's on another level in the playoffs, picking off opposing quarterbacks seven times and taking four of those interceptions to the house.

The Falcons have lacked swagger in their recent playoff appearances - something Samuel has in spades. The only thing he likes more than running his mouth is jumping routes. He's among the best in the NFL at baiting quarterbacks, especially young quarterbacks like Seattle's Russell Wilson, and could provide the game-changing turnover that will break Atlanta's playoff hex.

3. Beware "Beast Mode"

While Samuel may be one of the premier ball hawks in the NFL, he's certainly among the most horrendous tacklers. That's not an asset for a team going up against Seattle's punishing running back Marshawn Lynch. Lynch runs like a 215-pound wrecking ball, typically leaving a trail of battered bodies and bruised egos in his wake.

Lynch averaged 5.0 yards per carry and piled up 1,590 yards rushing this season. He's topped the 100-yard mark in five consecutive games, including a 132-yard performance in last week's 24-14 Wild Card victory over the Redskins. If Lynch goes full-on "beast mode" early in Saturday's game, it could be a very long day for a Falcons defense that finished the year ranked 21st in the NFL against the run.

• Watch statistician Nate Silver explain why he's picking Seattle to make it to the Super Bowl:

Houston Texans at New England Patriots, 4:30 p.m. EST

1. Full strength in Foxboro

When these teams met in Foxboro back on December 10, it turned into a 42-14 blowout victory for the Patriots. Several Houston defenders, including cornerback Johnathan Joseph, were nicked-up for that game, and the Texans expect to be better equipped to combat the high-octane New England offense this time around.

But the Texans aren't the only team that's healthy again. The Patriots are also back at full strength, and they're coming off a bye week to boot. Tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, two of quarterback Tom Brady's favorite targets, are close to 100 percent after a season in which both were hit hard by the injury bug. Gronkowski, who sat out with a broken forearm when these teams met in December, returned to the field two weeks ago and caught a touchdown pass in the Patriots' season finale. Hernandez, who lost six games to an ankle injury this season, caught eight passes and scored a pair of touchdowns against the Texans in the regular season.

Wide receiver Wes Welker was also absent from New England's injury report this week – a rarity this season. With his full complement of receivers available, Brady could make even a healthy Texans defense look hobbled.

2. Faith in Foster

Houston Texans' Arian Foster runs for a 13-yard touchdown run against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP File Photo/Michael Conroy)





 

The Patriots ranked 25th in total defense this season. So, how did the Houston offense – which scores an average of 26 points per game – manage only two touchdowns in that December loss to New England? Simple. The Texans fell behind 21-0 early in the second quarter and were forced to play catch-up the rest of the way, all but abandoning their potent running game.

Pro Bowl running back Arian Foster caught eight passes for 95 yards as the Texans took to the air, but was held to 46 rushing yards on just 15 carries. The Houston offense is most effective when Foster is carrying the load, setting up play-action opportunities for quarterback Matt Schaub to take shots down the field.

Houston is 8-0 this season when Foster runs for more than 100 yards, including last week's Wild Card victory over the Bengals in which Foster finished with 140 yards on the ground. If the Texans can avoid falling into another early hole and stay committed to running the ball with Foster, it will allow Schaub to go to work with play action against the Pats' highly suspect secondary.

3. Watt's the difference

The NFL's No. 1 offense starts with Tom Brady, and that's where the Texans defense needs to focus its efforts. When Brady gets comfortable in the pocket, few NFL quarterbacks can carve up a secondary as effectively. Luckily for the Texans, no defensive lineman in the league is more adept at making opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable than J.J. Watt.

Watt has been a one-man demolition crew for Houston all season, often single-handedly imploding enemy offensive lines. After threatening to break the single-season sack record, Watt settled for an NFL-best 20.5 and has turned batting down passes at the line of scrimmage into an art form.

Watt was credited with three hits on Brady in their earlier meeting but failed to record a sack as Brady exploded for 296 yards passing and four touchdowns. Houston needs much more from Watt in the rematch if the Texans hope to knock Brady off his game.

• Watch Fox Sports analyst Curtis Conway break down the Texans-Patriots matchup:

"Chud is someone who lives up to his end of a bargain," says family friend Jack Miller. "He would die before he would let down the people who are closest to him."

BEREA, Ohio -- Five years ago, Rob Chudzinski sat in a Cleveland Clinic waiting room discussing friendship, promises and the mortality of a man he had known since high school.

It was the summer of 2008 and Chudzinski listened to P.J. Miller calmly speak about the future of his family without him in it. The Toledo native and Strongsville resident was losing an eight-year battle with cancer.

Chudzinski's mind reeled as his fellow Toledo St. John's football co-captain laid out the sobering details and asked if he and a few close friends would keep watch over his wife, Jane, and their three children. His two boys, Jack and Matt, showed tremendous football potential and Miller wondered if the buddy everyone called "Chud" would shepherd them through their careers.

Fifteen years earlier, Chudzinski had toasted Miller as the best man in the couple's wedding. Six months later, he would eulogize him, asking a roomful of mourners to repeat "We thank you, P.J.," every time the coach recited another of Miller's good deeds.

On this day, however, Chudzinski's sole focus was honoring his friend's solemn request.

"He asked a few of us to help out," the Browns' new coach recalled this week. "It hit me square on that day I needed to live up to my responsibility."

At his introductory news conference, the lifelong Browns fan spoke Friday about wanting to deliver a winner to Cleveland. Chudzinski, 44, is a surprise choice to many, an accomplished assistant with no head coaching experience at the college or NFL level.

But 19-year-old Jack Miller believes nobody will work harder to turn around a franchise. He knows first-hand Chudzinski's loyalty and sacrifice, a man who friends say embodies the Jesuit brotherhood and the "men for others" philosophy.

"Chud is someone who lives up to his end of a bargain," Jack said by phone Saturday. "He would die before he would let down the people who are closest to him. I know I'm biased when I say this, but I think he is going to make a great coach for the Browns."

Same school to same street

Chudzinski has won national championships as a player and coach at the University of Miami. He transformed Derek Anderson into a Pro Bowler for one season in Cleveland and coordinated an offense that helped Cam Newton become an NFL Rookie of the Year in Carolina. But his oldest friends and best memories are rooted in Toledo and northwest Ohio.

The residents of Lucas and Wood counties are thrilled one of their own has become the Browns 14th full-time head coach. On Monday, St. John's students plan to wear Browns shirts to school and gather for a photo, board member and good friend Bert Brady said. They plan to send it to Chudzinski.

The son of an Ohio Air National Guard pilot, Chudzinski's passion for the Browns followed him through his formative years as the family moved from Toledo to Bowling Green to Fremont and back to Toledo. His love for the team has been well chronicled: Munching on dog biscuits, playing backyard football pretending to be tight end Ozzie Newsome, propping a television in the windows of his aunt's home to watch games in the chilly outdoors to simulate life in the Dawg Pound.

View full size As a football player at Toledo St. John High School in the 1980s, Rob Chudzinski (87) ran with a circle of athletic friends that included Bert Brady (86), Tom Beier (31) and close friend P.J. Miller (60). Photo courtesy Bert Brady  

But it was at St. John's where the dreams of a slow-footed, yet sure-handed tight end manifested themselves. Chudzinski ran with a circle of athletic friends that included Brady, John Ragan, Mark Fabian and the gregarious, barrel-chested Miller. Each enjoyed success after graduation and many were influenced by former St. John's football coach Fred Beier, who died in 2004.

"You talk about discipline, you talk about toughness, you talk about work ethic that we need as part of a football team and the foundation of a football team," Chudzinski said. "Fred was instrumental in teaching those things and stressing those things."

Chudzinski carried those lessons to Coral Gables, Fla.

In a border town split between loyalties for Michigan and Ohio State, Chudzinski's friends became rabid Miami supporters as he won national titles in 1987 and '89. His playing days behind him, they watched as he ascended from a 27-year-old graduate assistant to a Hurricanes coach who molded the careers of future Pro Bowlers Frank Gore, Andre Johnson, Willis McGahee, Bryant McKinnie, Clinton Portis, Jeremy Shockey and Kellen Winslow.

"During football season we didn't hear much from him because he was laser focused," Brady said. "But when it was over he always came home and he was always the same guy -- humble as hell."

In 2004, former Browns coach Butch Davis hired him as the team's tight end coach and after a two-year stint in San Diego he returned to Cleveland as the club's offensive coordinator under Romeo Crennel. He settled in the Strongsville development of Waterford Crossing and lived on the same street as two of his St. John's buddies, Fabian and Miller.

Miller, who worked in sales, had relocated to Cleveland after college and started a family with his wife, Jane. Friends teased him about being the "president of the Chud Fan Club" and digging a tunnel that ran between their homes. They had all grown up Browns fans and here was one of their own calling plays for a team that finished 10-6 in 2007 and sent four offensive players to the Pro Bowl.

"It was so much fun," said Chudzinski, who's married with three children. "Our wives probably didn't always appreciate it because we acted more guys in high school than in our 40s."

It wasn't so bad for the offspring, either. The Miller boys marveled at the good fortune of living in a neighborhood that included former Browns assistant Chuck Pagano and players such as Courtney Brown and Ross Verba. Jack, who attended St. Edward High School for two years, babysat for the Chudzinskis in exchange for game tickets. He met all the players and stood in the stadium tunnel after games, once shaking hands with Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis.

"It was a fairy tale, it was a surreal life for a kid who grew up a Browns fan," said Jack Miller, who also has a younger sister. Molly, 15. "Chud always hooked us up, he always took care of us."

Their father, P.J., who was ailing from Hodgkin's lymphoma, realized as much. As the boys showed promise on the football field, the president of the Chud Fan Club knew who he wanted to guide them after he was gone.

Promise kept

During Chudzinski's introductory news conference, owner Jimmy Haslam expressed confidence his new coach would earn the players' respect. Fabian witnessed it at a 2008 fund raiser for Miller. The Browns offensive coordinator encouraged his players to attend and participate in a silent auction. Anderson, Brady Quinn and Josh Cribbs, among others, donated time and money.

"I was so impressed that I went around and thanked the players," Fabian said. "All they kept telling me was, 'We're here for a good cause and we're here because of Chud. We would do anything for him.'"

P.J. Miller died on Feb. 18, 2009 at 40, surrounded by his closest friends. A few days later, Chudzinski celebrated his life with a eulogy, its message still potent enough to move men such as Fabian to tears.

"He was such a good man and a good father," Chudzinski said. "He and Jane did such a great job raising those kids. They are so mature for their age and they're really good students."

The family returned to Toledo three years ago and Jack and Matt played football for their father's alma mater. All of dad's friends assisted in his children's mentorship.

As the boys went through the college recruiting process, Chudzinski counseled them at every turn. They talked about the best fits. They talked about the best programs. Mostly, they talked about life and honoring the wishes of a father.

Matt Miller, who turns 18 on Sunday, has accepted a full ride to Wisconsin. The youngest boy still speaks to Chudzinski three times a week as he prepares for college. Jack Miller earned a scholarship to Michigan two years ago. He's expected to be the Wolverines' starting center next season as a red-shirt sophomore. He wears the No. 60 in tribute to his dad's uniform number at St. John's.

Jack Miller plays for Wolverines coach Brady Hoke, who spent eight seasons as a Michigan assistant before returning nine years later to guide the program. The 6-foot-4, 288-pound center sees similarities between Hoke and Chudzinski.

"They understand what tradition means and what it means to the fans," Jack Miller said. "No one is more deserving of this opportunity than Chud. I think the stars are aligned. ... He wants to be here and no one will expect more of himself."

Jack Miller's father had known it for years.

Sina King led the way with a double double -- 16 points and 10 rebounds – to help Akron improve to 11-4 overall and 2-0 in MAC play.

Matt Florjancic

Special to The Plain Dealer

AKRON, Ohio -- Led by Sina King, Taylor Ruper and Hanna Luburgh all scoring in double figures before halftime, the Akron women's basketball team started out the home portion of their Mid-American Conference schedule with a 93-58 victory over Kent State at the James A. Rhodes Arena Sunday afternoon.

King led the way with a double double -- 16 points and 10 rebounds – to help Akron improve to 11-4 overall and 2-0 in MAC play. The Golden Flashes dropped to 2-13, 0-2.

"I thought our kids were fired up and ready to play," said Akron coach Jodi Kest. "I thought our top eight did a great job. They were very unselfish. Our defense created our offense and I'm really, really proud of our kids.

• Kent State-Akron statistics

"It's a conference game. It's one of 16, and you have to play it like that. It's a little special when it's a rivalry like Kent. ... I thought our kids did a great job of executing and shooting the ball well. Our defense was solid today."

Akron started the game on a 10-0 run. After Kent State's Ashley Evans buried a three-pointer, the Zips scored 11 of the next 12 points.

With redshirt junior forward Rachel Tecca and King controlling the post, and Ruper's successful shooting from three-point range, the Zips built the lead to 33 at the half. Tecca scored eight points and pulled in four rebounds, and King narrowly missed a double double with 11 points and nine rebounds in the first half.

"Sina's always going to play that way," Kest said. "She's always going to give you 100 percent effort. ... Rebounding is not about skill. It's about heart and working, and she does that every day in practice. It carries over in the game and we're really lucky to have Sina on the team."

Ruper made four of her game-high five three-pointers in the first half, three of which came in the final 3:38.

"When I relax, I shoot my best," Ruper said. "I was relaxed during the game and that's probably why I shot so well."

Kest added, "I'm really happy that Taylor shot the ball extremely well. She's been shooting the ball well in practice. I think she's one of the best shooters in the conference."

Akron converted 20 of 40 attempts in the first half, and Kent State made only eight of its 29 shots.

"We got touches in the paint, just like we wanted," said Kent State coach Danielle O'Banion. "They didn't go, so more than anything, when we had opportunities to be competitive, the ball didn't go through the net and that had two adverse affects. The first was it created very quick transition opportunities for Akron, which is what they do. Secondly, it deflated our confidence."

Matt Florjancic is a freelance writer based in Broadview Heights.