Indianapolis Colts surprisingly name Jeff Saturday interim head coach after firing Frank Reich
The Colts made the decision to fire Frank Reich in a move that was expected by many, but their decision on the interim coach is as shocking as it gets.
Instead of looking towards Reich’s coaching staff, Indianapolis has named team legend and ESPN analyst Jeff Saturday their interim coach, revealed by Adam Schefter of ESPN on Monday afternoon.
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“Breaking: Colts are naming their former six-time Pro-Bowl C and ESPN analyst Jeff Saturday as their interim head coach,” tweeted Schefter. “Saturday has been a consultant for the team, is in its Ring Of Honor, and also was head coach for the Hebron Christian Academy football team in Dacula, Georgia.”
As Schefter mentioned, Saturday isn’t solely an ESPN analyst, as he’d been a consultant for the team and a member of their Ring of Honor. However, his only coaching experience comes from the Hebron Christian Academy in Georgia, as the ESPN NFL insider added to his report.
Alas, if you didn’t trust Schefter, Colts owner Jim Irsay confirmed the news to the public via Twitter, as well.
“We have named Jeff Saturday interim head coach,” confirmed Irsay.
Nevertheless, Saturday was a phenomenal player during his career that began as a Tar Heel as the University of North Carolina. After going not being selected in the 1998 NFL Draft, the offensive lineman found his way to Indianapolis before the 1999 season, where he’d play until 2011 and capture a Super Bowl ring.
Nobody would dare to question Jeff Saturday’s football prowess, but his path to becoming an NFL coach will be as unique as any seen before, even if it is just in the interim basis. It remains to be seen whether he can parlay it into a full time gig on the sidelines — or if he even wants to — but the ride will be something to behold.
More on Frank Reich, Indianapolis Colts
Continuing, firing of Frank Reich cames just a week after team owner Jim Irsay said he was in a, “great spot,” with Reich and general manager Chris Ballard.
Reich was the head coach of the Colts for four full seasons and was in the midst of his fifth season with the franchise. In his time with the Colts, Reich put together a combined record of 40-33-1 and took the team to the playoffs twice, reaching the divisional round once. But this season has not gone according to plan.
The Colts are currently at 3-5-1 and have lost three straight games. After a 26-3 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday, Reich took responsibility for his team’s struggles.
“Each person has to go back starting with me,” Reich said, according to the team website. “That’s what I said in the locker room. I mean, the offensive performance — that’s why I was brought here. That’s my responsibility. We got the players. We got players that are plenty good enough. I have to do a better job. It starts with me on offense. I have to do a better job getting the guys ready to play, putting guys in good positions to win and having answers when we face problems.”