LITTLE ROCK — BENGALS

Lineman faces charge

ATLANTA - Cincinnati Bengals tackle Andre Smith was free on bond Friday after his arrest on a charge of carrying a loaded gun at Atlanta’s airport.

Smith, 25, of Birmingham, Ala., was arrested around 4:50 p.m.Thursday at a security checkpoint at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport. A .38-caliber handgun was found in his carry-on bag, Atlanta police Sgt. Greg Lyon said.

Smith was charged with carrying a weapon in an unauthorized location and was taken to the Clayton County Jail in Jonesboro - about 20 miles south of Atlanta. He posted $3,000 bond Friday, according to court records.

Smith made his initial court appearance Friday and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Feb. 4, according to court documents.

PANTHERS Shula promoted

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - After 14 years Mike Shula is getting another chance to run an NFL offense.

The Carolina Panthers named Shula their new offensive coordinator Fridayand promoted two other assistant coaches.

Richard Rodgers was named Carolina’s special teams coordinator after taking over that role on an interim basis last season and Ricky Proehl was promoted as the Panthers wide receivers coach after working as an assistant in 2012.

Shula, who coached at Alabama from 2003-2006, served as the team’s quarterbacks coach the past two seasons. He takes over for Rob Chudzinski, who left to become the Cleveland Browns’ head coach.

Shula spent four seasons (1996-1999) as the offensive coordinator at Tampa Bay, but the Bucs finished 29th in total offense, 27th in points scored and last in the league in passing, according to STATS Inc. They never finished better than 22nd in total offense in any of those four seasons.

Shula has 20 years of NFL coaching experience.

JETS Mornhinweg hired

NEW YORK - The New York Jets have hired Marty Mornhinweg as their offensive coordinator, replacing the fired Tony Sparano.

Mornhinweg spent the past 10 years as an assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles, including the past seven as the team’s offensive coordinator.

He was previously the head coach of the Detroit Lions, and was also an assistant with San Francisco and Green Bay.

Sparano was fired after one season as the Jets’ offensive coordinator as New York finished 30th in overall offense.

BROWNS Horton gets job

BEREA, Ohio - The Cleveland Browns have named Ray Horton their new defensive coordinator.

Horton spent the past two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, who ranked second in the NFL in interceptions and third-down efficiency. Horton has 19 years of experience as a pro assistant. Before he went to Arizona, Horton spent seven seasons with Pittsburgh. He played 10 years as a defensive back in the league.

Horton replaces Dick Jauron, who was not retained by new Cleveland Coach Rob Chudzinski.

CHARGERS Pagano retained

SAN DIEGO - New San Diego Chargers Cach Mike McCoy has retained defensive coordinator John Pagano.

The team announced the move Friday. Also being retained are assistant coaches Don Johnson (defensive line), Joe Barry (linebackers) and Greg Williams (assistant linebackers).

Pagano took over as defensive coordinator after the 2011 season and the Chargers improved from 16th in total defense to ninth overall last season.

JETS Idzik to be GM

NEW YORK - The New York Jets hired Seattle Seahawks executive John Idzik to be their general manager Friday, ending a search that included 10 candidates and lasted nearly three weeks.

Idzik, the Seahawks’ vice president of football administration, was selected by owner Woody Johnson and team President Neil Glat over fellow finalists Pittsburgh executive Omar Khan and Jets assistant GM Scott Cohen. The Jets, who fired Mike Tannenbaum on Dec. 31 after seven seasons, announced the hiring of Idzik on their website.

Idzik’s primary strengths include managing salaries and the salary cap, but has also worked in player personnel. He has been with the Seahawks the past six seasons after previously working in the front office for Tampa Bay and Arizona.

BEARS Tucker steps in

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - The Chicago Bears hired Jacksonville’s Mel Tucker as their defensive coordinator to replace Rod Marinelli on Friday.

Tucker spent the past four seasons as the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator and was assistant head coach this season.

New Bears Coach Marc Trestman wanted to retain Marinelli, but he chose to join defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin in Dallas as defensive line coach. So Trestman turned to Tucker, who has experience with the 4-3 as well as the 3-4 defensive formations.

The Jaguars last season also used Cover-2 defense, a staple in Chicago under the fired Lovie Smith.

Sports, Pages 28 on 01/19/2013