Former Cleveland Browns running backs coach John Settle is headed to the college ranks, as the Pittsburgh Panthers announced on Friday that he will hold the same position with their team in 2014.
"John Settle has a tremendous football background as both a player and coach," said Paul Chryst, the Panthers' head coach. "He knows what it takes to be an outstanding running back. His track record brings immediate credibility from a coaching and recruiting standpoint. We are fortunate and excited to bring his talents to Pitt."
Settle had two stints with the Browns -- one as an offensive assistant way back in 1995, and then in 2013 on Rob Chudzinski's staff as running backs coach. With the coaching changes this offseason, Settle was replaced by Wilbert Montgomery. Settle had a pretty rough situation to deal with last year: after his top three running backs were gone from the team by Week 3 (Trent Richardson, Montario Hardesty, Bradnon Jackson), he had to work with the likes of Willis McGahee, Edwin Baker, and Fozzy Whittaker, guys who were either over-the-hill or had no regular season experience.