The second big move for Colts owner Jim Irsay has been made. After three seasons as head coach, Jim Caldwell has been fired.
“This was a difficult decision, based on the feeling that this was a direction the franchise needed to go,” Irsay said.
First, Jim Irsay fired Bill and Chris Polian.
Then, he hired a young and hard-working Ryan Grigson as general manager.
Grigson took some time to meet and evaluate Coach Caldwell and then he discussed his findings with Irsay. Ultimately, the decision was Irsay’s and I think he made the right one. (But remember, most executives are very adamant about bringing in their own guy.)
As Irsay said numerous times in his news conference announcing that the Polian’s are out, “it’s time.”
It was time, regardless of Peyton Manning’s health because I still don’t think he even knows if he’ll ever play again.
It was time for a new direction throughout the organization. New GM, check. New head coach, check. And drafting Andrew Luck is almost certain.
2-14 isn’t just bad, it’s embarrassing. Irsay takes great pride in how his organization is run and is viewed. Even without Manning, winning just two games last season is outrageous.
The players that speak openly on sports talk radio shows and on twitter back Caldwell. By those players accounts, he hadn’t lost the locker room.
Coach Caldwell has been criticized for a variety of things. It’s tough replacing one of the most-liked guys I know in Tony Dungy.
He’s been criticized for his demeanor, for being a Polian puppet, hiring ineffective assistants (see: Larry Coyer and Ray Rychleski) and for mismanaging games among other things.
New Colts General Manager Ryan Grigson said he met with Coach Caldwell for over seven hours to get to know him and hear his philosophy. The final decision to fire Caldwell was made around 2 p.m. Tuesday.
In regards to the rest of the current staff, Grigson says the staff has to be evaluated. He will meet with each coach as he doesn’t want to do anything rash.
As for the team’s next coach, Irsay is eager for what is to come.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity to bring in a new coach. This will start immediately. I think we will get an outstanding head coach.”
Ryan Grigson has yet to talk with Peyton Manning, which may mean something significantly. I’ve been told that in the past, Peyton was involved or at least provided feedback in big decisions. Maybe it is nothing, or maybe it means this team is willing to more forward with out him. Regardless, Grigson was very clear about what he desires in a head coach.
“We want strong leadership and someone that shares the same vision in this new era of Colts football.”
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Jim Caldwell fired as Colts head coach | Vigilant Sports…