Colts promote Rob Chudzinski to associate head coach

The Indianapolis Colts are keeping two critical pieces of their coaching staff intact for next season.

The first is Rob Chudzinski, the former Cleveland Browns head coach who served as a special assistant to Chuck Pagano this past season in Indianapolis. After Chudzinski recently received interest from the San Francisco 49ers regarding their offensive coordinator vacancy, the Colts on Tuesday announced they have given him a promotion and kept him in town. Chudzinski has agreed to a new contract with the Colts and will now work as the team's associate head coach.

"We're excited to keep Chud in our family," Pagano said in a team release. "He's been a critical part of our operation and we're looking forward to sharing even more success in the future."

An experienced coach of tight ends, 49ers tight end Vernon Davis -- brother of Colts cornerback Vontae -- took to Instagram to campaign for Chudzinski on Monday: "All I want for Christmas … is to meet #robchudzinski #OC"

That won't be happening — Chudzinksi is staying in Indianapolis, at least for another season.

Asked about denying opposing teams the chance to speak with Chudzinski last week, allowed to him under league rules, Colts general manager Ryan Grigson refused to go into specifics.

"Ultimately it's my job good people stay in this building and don't just walk right out," Grigson said. "We'll address that and keep good people here."

He has with Chudzinski and with offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, who interviewed with the Oakland Raiders in the hours following the Colts' 26-10 Wild Card win over Cincinnati on Jan. 3. The Raiders eventually went with Jack Del Rio as their new head coach.

Hamilton, with two years left on his contract, will return as the Colts' play-caller for a third consecutive season.

However, not all Colts coaches will be back next year. On Monday, the team also announced it had parted ways with running backs coach David Walker after four seasons with the team.

"We're grateful for David's contributions to the Colts' success over the last four years and wish him nothing but the best in the future," Pagano said in a statement.

In 2013, Walker's running backs rushed for the Colts' highest total since 2006 (1,743 yards). This season, the Colts ranked 22nd in the NFL in total rushing yards (1,612) and 25th in yards per carry (3.9).

Call Star reporter Zak Keefer at (317) 444-6134 and follow him on Twitter: @zkeefer.