Indianapolis Colts Sack Caldwell After Peyton-less Season

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Pete South

Without Peyton Manning in uniform in 2011, Jim Caldwell was unable to keep the Colts as winners and ultimately lost his job as head coach.

The Indianapolis Colts have parted company with head coach Jim Caldwell after they finished their season with a 2-14 record.

Caldwell became the third high-profile dismissal at the club following the departures of vice-chairman Bill Polian and his son, general manager Chris after a campaign that saw the team produce their worst season in 20 years. Those looking at the American football odds will have been unimpressed.

Team owner john Irsay had reportedly grown tired of his side’s struggles and although he admitted it’s always tough to sack people, he believes it’s the best decision for the franchise as they move forward.

“This is obviously a big transitional time for us, and I know we’re excited moving forward and it’s hard when you say goodbyes to some people,” Irsay said. “But it’s part of the business.”

Who Will Be the Starting Quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts on Opening Day 2012?

Andrew Luck (58%, 26 Votes)
Peyton Manning (27%, 12 Votes)
Curtis Painter (11%, 5 Votes)
Dan Orlovsky (4%, 2 Votes)

Total Voters: 45

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The younger Polian has already been replaced with 39-year-old Ryan Grigson and its believed the first major decision they made together was to relieve Caldwell of his duties have deciding that making wholesale changes would benefit the club.

It appears as if the 57-year-old didn’t anticipate his dismissal after he reportedly approached former St Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo about possible joining his staff as their defensive coach.

New GM Grigson says the search for a replacement will begin immediately but says they will not be rushed into making a decision. The new GM believes that he and Irsay will be working closely together to ensure they get the right man for the job as they look ahead to next season. Fans of Betfair online should remember this.

“We just came to the conclusion that this is best moving forward for the franchise,” Grigson said, referring to his first major decision in charge of an NFL team.

“Mr. Irsay is the steward of this franchise and I’m here to help him wrap his head around these types of decisions. We’ve been in football our whole lives and a lot of it is about instincts.”