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It's Official: Offensive Coordinator Tom Moore and Offensive Line Coach Howard Mudd Retire

The Indianapolis Star has the story up. More than just the end of an era for the Colts, these two men represent the end of an era in coaching. Tom Moore and Howard Mudd gave more than 60 years of combined service to the NFL's coaching ranks. Whether it was in Kansas City, Detroit, or Indy, wherever these men coached, the teams they coached for got better. And while many like to point to the Joe Montana 49ers or the "Greatest Show on Turf" Rams as the best offenses in NFL history, the fact is the greatest offense ever in the history of the NFL was coached by Tom Moore and Howard Mudd right here in Indianapolis.

From 1998-2008, the Colts offense was #1 all-time in the following categories:

#1 in points per game: 26.1
#1 in total yards per game: 362.9
#1 in passing yards per game: 257.7
#1 in passing yards per attempt: 7.6
#1 in completion percentage: 64.3%
#1 in passing touchdowns: 340
#1 in QB rating: 94.4
#1 in third-down percentage: 45.1%
#1 in fewest sacks allowed: 214

And the only thing they weren't #1 in was fewest turnovers. In that, they were #2: 271.

In that time, the Colts won six division titles, one Super Bowl, appeared in the playoffs ten times, and sent a gaggle of players to the Pro Bowl.

These men are legends in the coaching world. Absolute and complete legends. We will debate the ugliness of several NFL owners opting out of a pension plan that many coaches feel was a two-faced action, but for now we set that aside.

This is about honoring two titans of the NFL coaching ranks. Here's to them enjoying a fishing pond somewhere, a cold beer, and satisfaction that they did their job as well as the best that have ever coached this game.

Bilde_medium

A beautiful picture of Tom Moore following the Colts defeating the Patriots in the 2006 AFC Championship Game.

Photo: Indystar.com

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Fishing pond and cold beer

Do they have those next to the Luke? I’m hoping they can find a way to return as “consultants.”

How can you not love a team that does this?

by LovinBlue on May 14, 2009 7:15 PM EDT reply actions  

I agree...

however, I see the owners closing this loophole next offseason.

by JagsCub on May 14, 2009 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions  

Ok, like I wasn't bummed out enough -

that pic of Moore made me completely lose it. Thanks, BBS – I’m still at work. =-)

This offseason has certainly been an emotional rollercoaster.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on May 14, 2009 7:24 PM EDT reply actions  

yeah that picture was nostalgic

"We’re only going to score 17 points? haha...OK" - Tom Brady

by BlueMark1821 on May 14, 2009 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions  

Legends indeed

Those stats are simply impressive.

We will miss those guys, who are retiring for a very unfair cause. Seems like this will be a completely different year for us all the way around…

Thx to those coaching titans (REAL titans, not some pussies from Nashville)…
Legends indeed

"We’re only going to score 17 points? haha...OK" - Tom Brady

by BlueMark1821 on May 14, 2009 7:25 PM EDT reply actions  

And somewhere Texans, Titans, and Jaguars fans are cellibrating

or saying that silent “yes”. The Colts better win the AFC South because I cant stand what those a$$holes (sorry) did over here last year. Let it be known that I have a low tollerance for trolls and the first one to pop up here better watch out.

OH NO WE SUCK AGAIN!

by colts9318rock on May 14, 2009 7:49 PM EDT reply actions  

Settle down Francis,

I actually am not happy about this. This whole decsion stinks of age discrimination, and the bottom line. Sure, it will be interesting to see what kind of continuity will remain, but I don’t like this! Not one bit!

by JagsCub on May 14, 2009 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions  

haha

“dont ever call me by my real name, call me psycho”………classic!

by MARVININDY on May 15, 2009 6:49 AM EDT up reply actions  

No, your wrong colts rock... we're not cellibrating...

We are celebrating though…

The End Is Nigh... www.infowars.com

by silencecs on May 14, 2009 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

Jon Gruden Offensive Coordinator

it could happen. For those who say it can’t, remember Ed Johnson. Just an idea…………

OH NO WE SUCK AGAIN!

by colts9318rock on May 14, 2009 8:03 PM EDT reply actions  

while it is possible, i dont see it happening

Peyton will be both QB and OC :)

"We’re only going to score 17 points? haha...OK" - Tom Brady

by BlueMark1821 on May 14, 2009 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions  

Why would you want Gruden? His offenses have always sucked.

by KingRichard on May 14, 2009 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions  

idk

The Colts always do wierd stuff. But the Colts will build from within like always. Clide Christensen will be the O-Coordinator. Hell, I could have said Jimmy Johnson………that would be awsome.

OH NO WE SUCK AGAIN!

by colts9318rock on May 14, 2009 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions  

The guy I want as the offensive coordinator the most is a pipe dream. I just hope the next man up doesn’t let Peyton run all over him and keeps the offense balanced.

by KingRichard on May 14, 2009 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

I like it….NO WAIT I LOVE IT!! MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!

POLIAN READ THIS. HERMAN EDWARDS FOR OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR!!!

Please, please draft a big Defensive Tackle. Please?

Enter Fili Moala. Thank you Polian

by skywalker on May 14, 2009 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions  

wait.....what?

Please, please draft a big Defensive Tackle. Please?

Enter Fili Moala. Thank you Polian

by skywalker on May 14, 2009 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

He was a DEFENSIVE BACKS coach before being a headcoach...

You don’t put a DB coach in at Offensive coordinator…

Learn your football you homer!

The End Is Nigh... www.infowars.com

by silencecs on May 15, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions  

Hall of Fame

Both of them are more than worthy, but they won’t get in. Like middle relievers in baseball, assistant coaches and coordinators are woefully under represented in the Hall of Fame.

"I saw a commercial on late night TV, it said,'Forget everything you know about slipcovers.' So I did. And it was a load off my mind. Then the commercial tried to sell me slipcovers, and I didn't know what the hell they were."
-Mitch Hedberg

by Colts Homer on May 14, 2009 10:08 PM EDT reply actions  

very sad they couldnt retire on their own terms. its like saying goodbye a hall of fame reciever and a hall of fame coach. and then throw in 2 of the best assistants …hall of fame assistants to boot.

legends. all of them.

I still think we win over 12 games. we have the players and THEE player, peyton. upon them being forced to retire by the crappiest terms ever is embarrassing to the league and they should be ashamed. but as far as the jags and other teams celebrating….the jags fans are about to be blackenedd out of every game and as far as I know nobody is celebrating their crappy coaching staff and most of all their crappy head coach so they have bigger problems…they are about to move to LA…denial or not….(the titans yes might be celebtrating) but back to the colts ….I think this might just stop us from a greater season to just a great season. which sucks.

adjusting to all these new coaches will take a team chemistry act like no other. peyton will BE the coach. he will be the player coach. no doubt in my mind. we have some solid leaders that will now take over on the field. offense and defense.

this just may stop us from winning a superbowl but its not going to stop us from having a great year.

and colts fans know this is a superbowl team so this truely does sucks. we have high REAL expectations unlike the others in our division

by kinnickcolt on May 15, 2009 4:17 AM EDT reply actions  

and then I read the story

Although Moore and Mudd are no longer part of coach Jim Caldwell’s official staff, either or both could possibly return as consultants by the start of training camp, pending pension guidelines.

not to spoil the party of the other 3 in our division…they could/might/will still be our coaches and back to their own huge problems. I just dont think these coaches are truely gone. sorry texans, titans, jags….

oh and ps you still have defend peyton and company. enjoy your party

by kinnickcolt on May 15, 2009 4:26 AM EDT reply actions  

The Colts System

Has been in place for so long, that honestly, I don’t believe losing our coaches this year will impact the team this year. Someone else has suggested, not sure where, that these changes will affect the team more in two or three years than they will this season. I agree with that assessment. The true value of coaching is the impact the coaching has on current players. Outside of the impact of losing these coaches on current rookies, the vast majority of the team has already been affected by the coaching abilities of those who are leaving. To lessen the blow even more, the coaches taking the place of Dungy, Moore and Mudd are all long-time understudies of those coaches and are unlikely to differ greatly in the substance of what is coached to Colts players.

by bamock on May 15, 2009 4:29 AM EDT up reply actions  

dont forget the jags hired our former and the worst assistant ever…russ pernell

now WHO IS CELEBRATING??

by kinnickcolt on May 15, 2009 4:31 AM EDT reply actions  

“We’ve made it through a number of transitions in the past and we’ll make it through this one,” Irsay said. "As an organization, we’ve always responded well to challenges.

“I like the continuity we’ve been able to maintain combined with the new blood. The new blood has energized us.”

by kinnickcolt on May 15, 2009 4:32 AM EDT reply actions  

Peyton for O Coordinator

Anyone tell me if we just have Peyton be O Coordinator could we add a roster spot?

I like fast cars and fast women…

by I'm Not Alone, I'm Just Blue on May 15, 2009 11:34 AM EDT reply actions  

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