Who Is Jeff The New Coach Hired By Colts? What Do We Know? Jim Irsay Says ‘He’s Fully Capable’
The Indianapolis Colts fired Frank Reich on Monday and, in a stunning move, selected former player and consultant Jeff Saturday as interim head coach.
In 2018, the Colts hired Reich, who guided them to a 41-35-1 overall record, including the playoffs. However, Indianapolis started the 2022 season with a mere 3-5-1 record, which included a three-game losing streak before he was fired. Due to Andrew Luck’s retirement prior to the 2019 season, Reich had the opportunity to work with six different starting quarterbacks in five seasons.
Breaking: Colts are naming their former six-time Pro-Bowl C and ESPN analyst Jeff Saturday as their interim head coach. 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. pic.twitter.com/VEmHOeSrFR
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 7, 2022
Here is what we know about the new interim coach Jeff
Jeff won the hearts of Colts fans during his playing career with his imposing frame, unrivalled ferocity, and contagious smile. He intends to give them something in return for his second act in Indianapolis: a successful football club.
Colts name Jeff Saturday interim head coach. pic.twitter.com/J37l7cpFKD
— NFL (@NFL) November 7, 2022
He played with the Colts for 13 seasons between 1999 and 2011, making the Pro Bowl six times. He was also named to the AP All-Pro first team twice. In 2012, he played for the Green Bay Packers. He has provided advice to the Colts over the past few years, and in 2022, he will attend training camp.
Colts hiring Jeff Saturday a slap in face of Black coaches https://t.co/2CAo0LamoE
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) November 7, 2022
In 2013, he started working with ESPN as a commentator. Jeff made a seamless move into sports media by joining ESPN as an analyst. Jeff has a lively attitude and enthusiasm for talking about the game. Since joining the network in 2013, he has made frequent appearances on “NFL Live” and “SportsCenter.”
From NFL Now: The #Colts hire Jeff Saturday as their interim coach, a move that no doubt highly qualified candidates who are minorities have noted. pic.twitter.com/BU0RgY35LX
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 7, 2022
Where did Jeff work until now?
Jeff was a coach at Hebron Christian Academy, where his son, Jeffrey, went to school in his spare time.
Hebron Christian Academy, a tiny Christian college preparatory school that plays football in Georgia’s Class AAA division, is approximately 45 minutes from Atlanta.
The Colts bypass two former NFL head coaches already on staff — Gus Bradley, John Fox — and a rising head-coaching candidate in Bubba Ventrone, to name former center Jeff Saturday the interim coach.
That is a real sentence.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) November 7, 2022
With a 20-16 record and one playoff appearance in his three seasons as the Lions’ coach, Jeff didn’t have much luck in the Peach State. Nevertheless, he oversaw his son’s development into an All-Regional performer and Division I possibility.
Jim Irsay Says ‘He’s Fully Capable’
After firing Frank Reich, Indianapolis Colts owner and CEO Jim Irsay and general manager Chris Ballard unveiled Colts centre Jeff Saturday, a five-time Pro Bowler, as the team’s new interim head coach on Monday evening.
The Colts were either stupid or brilliant to do the Jeff Saturday introductory press conference while Ravens-Saints was being played. I have a feeling it's the smartest thing they did all day.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) November 8, 2022
Irsay remarked, “It was a difficult decision to make, made with significant thinking.”
Many were surprised by the hiring because Saturday had no prior coaching experience in the NFL or at the collegiate level. In addition to working as an ESPN analyst, Saturday previously served as the head coach at Hebron Christian Academy in Dacula, Georgia.
Within the last few weeks, we asked Jeff Saturday if he’d have interest being in Colts upper management. pic.twitter.com/5W2dN6hwp3
— Jake Query (@jakequery) November 7, 2022
The NFL world was taken aback by Saturday’s hiring, especially in light of his relative inexperience. Irsay insisted at his news conference on Monday night that Saturday was the best candidate for the position.
“Yes, he is fully experienced enough. Yes, he is fully capable,” Irsay said.
#Colts owner Jim Irsay says at his press conference that interim coach Jeff Saturday, who has only coached in high school, “is fully experienced enough. Yes he is fully capable.”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 8, 2022
Irsay not only addressed the alleged problem of Saturday’s lack of NFL coaching experience, he also stated that he is “happy” that his interim head coach lacks that experience since he lacks the “fear” that other coaches have and won’t instantly resort to analytics.
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