Chuck Pagano’s uncertain future as the coach of the Colts has been a storyline all season long and losses by a combined 70 points the last two weeks have done nothing to make it likelier that he’ll get a new contract in Indianapolis.
During his Monday press conference, Pagano was asked about dealing with the possibility that he will be out of job once the Colts season comes to an end. Pagano said dealing with this situation was “nothing” compared to his fight with cancer in 2012 and that he’s “doing great” at the moment.
“They can’t eat you,” Pagano said, via the Indianapolis Star. “They can fire you, but they can’t eat you. So if the worst thing is a year from now, let’s say I’m in Boise playing with my granddaughters, I’m going to be fine. That ain’t going to happen, but I’m going to be fine if I go down that road. ... I’ve never really taken anything for granted. Even before the cancer. So I’m grateful for every single day that I get. If I get tomorrow, we’re going to attack it with everything we have and be grateful for that. All I’m worried about is today and doing the very best job I can.”
There’s a certain resignation to those words, but Pagano also pointed out that the Colts “have a great opportunity” coming their way against the Texans this weekend. Winning that game puts them a leg up on winning the AFC South and they close the season with the Dolphins and Titans in games that fall into the winnable column whether Andrew Luck returns to action or not.
Maybe that’s not enough to keep Pagano in his job, but it’s certainly better than going down without a fight.
