Panthers promote Mike Shula to offensive coordinator

The Carolina Panthers have made the decision to promote Mike Shula to the role of offensive coordinator.

Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer reports that Carolina coach Ron Rivera has made the decision to bump up his quarterbacks coach to replace Rob Chudzinski, who became the head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

Shula’s promotion gives the Panthers some continuity as he has worked with quarterback Cam Newton the past two seasons. Newton’s game began to improve during the second half of this season. The Panthers will also promote Ricky Proehl from assistant wide receivers coach to wide receivers coach. Interim special teams coordinator Richard Rodgers has been promoted to the position full time.

Carolina also considered Pat Shurmur and Hue Jackson for the coordinator role. Shula has served as a play caller in the NFL before. He was an offensive coordinator under Tony Dungy with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune