It looks like Colts coach Jim Caldwell will be safe in Indianapolis, at least until owner Jim Irsay finds a new general manager.
Colts owner Jim Irsay said Monday that Caldwell is “under evaluation” and admitted that Caldwell will likely remain in the organization until Irsay hires their next personnel decision maker.
Irsay says the process to find a G.M. could take a few weeks. He stressed having “one voice” in the organization. While Irsay credited the Polians with 14 great years, he just said “it was time” to make a change in the personnel department.
Irsay says he wants the whole “organization pulling in same direction” with “great unity.”
The Polians would have likely kept their jobs if the Colts won more games this year. But they also may not have been fired if they worked better with Irsay and others inside the Colts organization.
Caldwell is respected by his players. Tony Dungy said on NBC SportsTalk Monday that he would be surprised if Caldwell is let go because the Colts won’t want to change the whole offense if they are planning to keep Peyton Manning.
If the Colts hire a G.M. from within, keeping Caldwell is easy to imagine. It would be a stranger fit if Irsay hires someone outside the organization and essentially forces them to keep Caldwell.
