Indianapolis Colts defensive co-ordinator Larry Coyer sacked – NFL News
Winless Indianapolis Colts mid-way through their current football season have introduced a number of abrupt changes to their side, firing their defensive coordinator Larry Coyer while removing Curtis Painter from quarterback position.
Colts coach Jim Caldwell announced on Tuesday that they had fired Coyer as their defensive coordinator and brought in Dan Orlovsky as a replacement to Painter. Curtis Painter had the coach’s backing despite his below par performance
for last few consecutive games. Colts linebackers coach Mike Murphy is going to replace Coyer as defensive coach.
"It's not an easy day," Caldwell said. "Anybody that would tell you any differently is cold-hearted and callous, and that's not me."
Caldwell comments came in the context of the relationship between him and defensive co-ordinator Coyer dating back to 1970s. Coyer was an assistant coach at Iowa and Caldwell as player when they started working with each other.
Colts performance however has recently made things a bit difficult for them, as following consecutive losses, fans and opinion makers criticised the coach and its staff. Colts fans in fact have demanded firing of Caldwell, Colts
vice chairman Bill Polian and their general manager Chris Polian.
The decision to replace Painter from quarterback position was also not an easy one for Caldwell. He backed him even on this Monday saying that the player had improved in their last game and was expected to do even better in upcoming
games. The Indianapolis Colts lost their last game 27-19 against Carolina Panthers on past Sunday.
Colts vice chairman Bill Polian had told radio listeners a day earlier that there were few changes coming to Indianapolis Colts side.
"The message isn't getting across as clearly as it should be," Polian said. "We probably have to make some changes there and when you're in the position we are, you should probably be making changes.”
Colts coach admitted that there was a communication gap between the players and their defensive co-ordinator. Both coach and vice chairman, who was standing just besides Caldwell during the announcement, did not comment on the
chances of Peyton Manning’s return or his replacement.
Indianapolis Colts are the only winless team in current NFL season, trailing behind at 0-11.
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