By Matt McCoy

I really like what I've heard from new Browns owner Jim Haslam and CEO Joe Banner so I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt...but Rob Chudzinski?

The Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator was the choice Thursday night to be the new Browns head coach. Chudzinski, a Toledo native is a former Browns assistant. He served as tight ends coach in 2004 under Butch Davis and was offensive coordinator under Romeo Crennel. He had success in 2007, when the Browns went 10-6 with quarterback Derek Anderson making the Pro Bowl, but it fell apart the next year and the entire staff was out of a job.

I talked with veteran Cleveland sportscaster Mike Snyder, sports director of our sister station WTAM in Cleveland to get a gauge on the reaction up north.

"We've already had kind of a mixed bag. A lot of people are going 'what?'...but some are saying 'well, I see what they're doing,' but I think the overall reaction is surprise," Snyder said. "But there was a lot of interest and buzz with (Chip) Kelly last week, but after that whether it was (Ken) Whisenhunt, whether it was (Marc) Trestman or whoever the other candidates were, I don't think there was anybody that excited (the fans.)"

Reports are circulating that Chudzinski, who had a stint as tight ends coach in San Diego, will bring fired Chargers coach Norv Turner to Cleveland to serve as offensive coordinator.

Chudzinski was a tight end for the Miami Hurricanes and began his coaching career there. In fact, when the Buckeyes won the national title in 2002, Chudzinski was the Hurricanes offensive coordinator. He'll be introduced by the Browns at an 11:00 A.M. press conference Friday.

To hear more of what they're saying in Cleveland, click below to hear my conversation with Mike Snyder.