Indianapolis Colts unveil Baltimore Ravens defensive staff Chuck Pagano as new head coach – NFL News
Indianapolis Colts' owner, Jim Irsay, and general manager, Ryan Grigson, are set to unveil their new head coach at a news conference on Thursday, January 26, 2012.
The announcement comes following the confirmation of the hiring of Baltimore Ravens’ defensive co-ordinator, Chuck Pagano, for the head coaching position, that had become vacant since firing of their former coach, Jim Caldwell.
It will be for the first time for Pagano to perform head coaching duties for a team and despite being excited over securing the job at Colts, he said it was very difficult for him to part ways with Ravens.
"It's difficult to leave the Ravens but I couldn't pass up on this great opportunity," Pagano said in a statement released by the Ravens. "I'm just thrilled and so excited."
The new Colts' coach had spent a year with Ravens, seeing his team through to the American Football Conference (AFC) championship, which they lost to the New England Patriots, on Sunday, January 22, 2012.
Some of the Ravens' officials have spoken highly of the coach’s association and working style that made him popular among the players.
"What makes him good? He relates to the players a whole lot," defensive end Cory Redding said.
Redding added:
"He's almost like a player in a D-coordinator's position. The guy has so much fun with us. He treats you like more than a player. It's like we're his sons. He wants us to do well. He keeps it fresh. He knows everybody's strengths and puts them in position
to make plays."
Pagano reportedly had been leading the Colts’ prospective coaching candidates list, and the team management, that was apparently focused on the offensive officials, ended up hiring him, as announced by them a day earlier.
Raven’s former assistant coach was interviewed by Colts on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, and according to reports emerging early Wednesday (January 25, 2012), he had been through the process successfully and had landed a deal with the team.
The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Colts' owner, along with his new GM, is expected to introduce the new head coach to the media on Thursday.
The conference is likely to shed light on the future strategy and agenda to be set out for the new coach.
It could also be possible that the team’s owner comes out with his approach towards seeking a solution to the issue, pertaining to their QB, Peyton Manning’s recovery and return.
Manning is out of the National Football League (NFL) due to a neck injury, with uncertainty about his future.
The Colts have fired all their previous managers and coaching officials, and expected to continue their search for the assistant coaching staff after Pagano assumes his duties at the team.
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