Panthers interested in Hue Jackson, Pat Shurmur for offensive coordinator

The Carolina Panthers are in need of a new offensive coordinator after the Cleveland Browns hired Rob Chudzinski as their head coach and the first two names that have popped up are Hue Jackson and Pat Shurmur. The Panthers have reportedly asked for permission to interview Jackson, while Shurmur is being called a "candidate" in Carolina.

Carolina requested permission to interview Hue Jackson about its OC opening, w/Chud gone. The Jets have also expressed interest in Jackson.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 11, 2013

Jackson spent the season as the Cincinnati Bengals' secondary coach after serving as the Oakland Raiders' head coach in 2011. It marked the first season that Jackson worked on the defensive side of the ball, serving as a running backs, quarterbacks and wide receivers coach, as well as offensive coordinator, in college before doing the same in the NFL.

Jackson was hired as the Raiders; offensive coordinator in 2010 and led Oakland to the 10th best total offense, a huge jump from 31st the year before. They were ninth in the NFL when he was the head coach in 2011 and this season, after firing Jackson, Oakland dropped to 18th.

In addition to Jackson, Shurmur appears to be a candidate. He was fired by the Browns after the season, opening the position that Chudzinski filled.

@josephperson reports that fired #Browns HC Pat Shurmur a candidate to replace ex-Panthers OC Chudzinski, now Browns coach.#tradingplaces

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) January 11, 2013

Prior to taking over in Cleveland, Shurmur was a tight ends and offensive line coach in college and a tight ends and quarterbacks coach with the Philadelphia Eagles. He spent two seasons as an offensive coordinator, manning the St. Louis Rams' offense in 2009 and 2010 before being hired by the Browns.