The Sports Xchange

One day after the Indianapolis Colts lost in overtime at Carolina to fall to 3-5, offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton was fired.

The Colts announced Tuesday that Rob Chudzinski will take over Hamilton’s duties.

Indianapolis lost 29-26 to the Panthers in overtime on Monday night.

“Through the first eight weeks of the season, we have felt our offense hasn’t performed at the consistent level that we need,” Colts coach Chuck Pagano said in a statement. “Because of this, we’ve decided to go in a different direction and relieve Pep Hamilton of his duties as offensive coordinator.

“As head coach of this team, it’s my responsibility to make sure I’m doing everything we can to put us in the best position to succeed. We thank Pep for his service to the team and wish him all the best.”

Hamilton came to the Colts in 2013 from Stanford, where he was as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach from 2011 to 2012 and worked with quarterback Andrew Luck before the Colts made him the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. Hamilton also was Stanford’s wide receivers coach in 2010.

Hamilton’s NFL experience includes stints with the Chicago Bears (2007-09), San Francisco 49ers (2006) and the New York Jets (2003-05). He served as a pro personnel intern with the Baltimore Ravens in 2002 and a summer coaching intern with the Washington Redskins in 2001 and Kansas City Chiefs in 2000.

Chudzinski joined the Colts in 2014 as a special assistant and was promoted to associate head coach in January. The 47-year-old Chudzinski has worked as an offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers and was the Browns’ head coach for one season in 2013.