Jeff Saturday is excited about being the head coach. There is a time and a place for this.
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay defended his decision to hire Jeff Saturday as the team's interim head coach.
Frank Reich was fired by Irsay on Monday morning. Saturday was hired by the team shortly afterwards. It is the first time a high school coach has ever worked above the high school level.
Irsay made five Pro Bowls during his 13 seasons with the Colts and spoke about how tough Saturday was.
Do you want to bet against him? Irsay said something. You should put your money down. I know what he's about and I want to see it.
Irsay said that the decision to fire Reich was difficult, but that it was based on his experience as a second- generation NFL owner.
Irsay said there wasn't a rule book that told you to make a change. Being in the league for 52 years is what made it happen. It's easy to understand.
The Colts are expected to conduct a formal coaching search after the final eight games of the season, according to Irsay. Irsay made no attempt to hide his preference that things work out on Saturday and that he gets the job permanently.
He said it would be for eight games.
The Rooney Rule requires that teams interview at least two minority candidates before moving forward with a head-coaching hire.
He said there would be a compliant search, as well as his hiring in 2002 of Tony Dungy, who went on to become the first black head coach to win a Super Bowl, and his successor, Jim Caldwell.
Irsay didn't want to think about the future of the sixth-year GM.
Irsay said there was no question about that. It's not in my head. The man is a winner and has been successful.
The Colts tried to hire Saturday as an offensive line coach and also approached him about a position earlier this year. Saturday is close to Irsay and has been a consultant for the Colts for several years.
He leaned on his inexperience.
He said it was a great part of his career. Nobody is expecting anything from me. I am here. Nobody has expectations. I hope it will go well. I have no idea what I'm going to be like.
Sunday will be his first game as a head coach. He was close to making a decision on who would be his offensive play caller. Saturday said that Sam Ehlinger would continue as the starter.
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