The Indianapolis Colts made a shocking decision during the 2022-23 season by naming former center Jeff Saturday as the interim head coach following the midseason firing of Frank Reich. Saturday, who has no prior head coaching experience, was hired while working as a studio analyst for ESPN.
Many people thought the Saturday hiring was just a stopgap to finish out the season, but owner Jim Irsay may have had other plans.
Despite Saturday going 1-7 — which includes blowing a 33-0 lead; the biggest blown lead in NFL history — Jordan Schultz of The Score is reporting Saturday is Irsay’s top choice for the job.
Sources: Jim Irsay’s No. 1 choice for HC remains Jeff Saturday, while others in the #Colts’ front office prefer different leading candidates. Saturday, I’m told, presented his staff choices during his 2nd interview on Wednesday. Irsay has not sat in on most interviews. @theScore https://t.co/lJr3YinQb4
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 26, 2023
Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, and Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen are among the 13 candidates who interviewed for the job, according to The Athletic, but it’s Saturday who had a second interview and has had conversations about filling out his staff with the front office.
The news hasn’t made Colts fans very happy, and they have gone as far as to launch a petition begging Jim Irsasy not to hire Saturday.
“We as Colts fans will always love the memories of the SB XLI team,” the petition on Change.org reads. “We love the former players and the people they’ve become, but we don’t want Jeff Saturday as the head coach of this team going forward.
“Please hire someone with experience and save your fan base from revolting and losing interest.”
It will be interesting to see what direction the Colts ultimately go with their head coaching search, but if it is Saturday who gets the job, he will start his tenure as head coach with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.