Stampede Blue - Colts coaching staff: Chuck Pagano continues to conduct search for assistant coachesAn Indianapolis Colts bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/29818/stampedeblue_fave.png2016-02-11T19:48:14-05:00http://www.stampedeblue.com/rss/stream/104776732016-02-11T19:48:14-05:002016-02-11T19:48:14-05:00Colts finalize 2016 coaching staff
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<p>The Indianapolis Colts today finalized their 2016 coaching staff by moving wide receivers coach Jim Hostler to tight ends coach and moving Tim Berbenich to offensive assistant/assistant quarterbacks coach.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Indianapolis Colts</a> today finalized their 2016 coaching staff by re-assigning two previous coaches to different positions. The team moved wide receivers coach Jim Hostler to tight ends coach and defensive assistant Tim Berbenich to offensive assistant/assistant quarterbacks coach.</p>
<p>Hostler was hired by the Colts last offseason to be their wide receivers coach, meaning that he is being switched from the job after just one season. Before his time with the Colts, he was an offensive assistant for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> for one year (2014) and previously had spent six seasons as the wide receivers coach for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> (2008-2013). Interestingly enough, Hostler has never coached tight ends. At the NFL level, he has been a wide receivers coach, quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator, and offensive assistant, while at the college level he has done all of that plus serve as a running backs coach and linebackers coach, but he has never coached tight ends during his career. It's an interesting move, then, for the Colts to switch him to a position that really could use some good coaching. Perhaps the Colts want to help the tight ends become more well-rounded in the receiving game, but regardless it's an interesting move that hopefully works out for the team.</p>
<p>Berbenich has spent the last three seasons with the Colts, as an offensive assistant (2013-2014) and then last year as a defensive assistant (2015). He previously spent six seasons with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> (2006-2011), spending time as an offensive quality control coach, assistant running backs coach, and assistant wide receivers coach. Before that, he worked with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a> for four seasons (2002-2005), serving as an operations assistant, offensive assistant, and quality control coach.</p>
<p>The Colts have now finalized their coaching staff for 2016 after a long process of searching for and finding people who fit what they want to do. Hopefully, the staff changes end up making a positive impact. Here's the Colts' full coaching staff for 2016 (italics indicates new addition to the staff or a new role):</p>
<p>Head coach: Chuck Pagano, head coach</p>
<p><i>Offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski (had interim tag removed)</i></p>
<p><i>Defensive coordinator: Ted Monachino</i></p>
<p>Special teams coordinator: Tom McMahon</p>
<p><i>Quarterbacks: Brian Schottenheimer</i></p>
<p><i>Running backs: Jemal Singleton</i></p>
<p><i>Wide receivers: Lee Hull</i></p>
<p><i>Tight ends: Jim Hostler (moved from wide receivers to tight ends)</i></p>
<p><i>Offensive line: Joe Philbin (also named assistant head coach)</i></p>
<p><i>Assistant offensive line: Joe Gilbert (moved from offensive line coach to assistant offensive line coach)</i></p>
<p>Offensive quality control: Frank Giufre</p>
<p>Defensive line: Gary Emmanuel</p>
<p><i>Linebackers: Jim Herrmann</i></p>
<p>Outside linebackers: Brad White</p>
<p><i>Defensive backs: <span>Greg Williams</span></i></p>
<p>Defensive quality control: Shawn Terlecky</p>
<p><i>Assistant special teams: Maurice Drayton</i></p>
<p><i>Strength and conditioning: Darren Krein</i></p>
<p>Assistant strength and conditioning: Richard Howell</p>
<p><i>Conditioning/performance analyst: Quadrian Banks</i></p>
<p><i>Assistant to the head coach: Andrew Hayes-Stoker</i></p>
https://www.stampedeblue.com/2016/2/11/10974830/colts-finalize-2016-coaching-staff-by-moving-jim-hostler-to-tight-ends-coachJosh Wilson2016-02-09T11:36:59-05:002016-02-09T11:36:59-05:00Morgan State HC Lee Hull to become Colts WR coach
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<p>According to multiple reports, Morgan State head coach Lee Hull is leaving to become the wide receivers coach for the Indianapolis Colts.</p> <p>As the <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Colts</a> and head coach Chuck Pagano continue their search for the right assistant coaches, they have been very meticulous about finding guys, no matter where at. The most recent name seems to be Morgan State head coach, who according to multiple reports is leaving his head coaching position to become the wide receivers coach for the Colts.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.si.com/nfl/2016/02/08/lee-hull-indianapolis-colts-wide-receivers-coach">Sports Illustrated's Thayer Evans reported the news</a>, while <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/football/bal-morgan-state-football-coach-lee-hull-leaving-for-assistant-job-with-indianapolis-colts-20160208-story.html">the Baltimore Sun received confirmation from Hull</a>, who called it "bittersweet."</p>
<p>Hull just finished his second season in charge of Morgan State's football team, and in two years there he went 11-12. In 2014, the team made the FCS playoffs for the first time in school history while setting or tying 57 school records. The successful season earned Hull the Coach of the Year award from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Before his time at Morgan State, he was the wide receivers coach for Maryland for six seasons (2008-2013), where he coached players such as <span>Darrius Heyward-Bey</span> and <span>Torrey Smith</span>. Before that, he was the wide receivers coach at Oregon State for three seasons (2005-2007) after two as running backs coach (2003-2004), coaching <span>Steven Jackson</span>. He was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Holy Cross, for five seasons prior to that, coaching linebackers (1998), wide receivers and kickoff coverage (1999), and wide receivers, passing game coordinator, and kick return (2000-2002). He also served as an intern with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers" class="sbn-auto-link">San Diego Chargers</a> in 2000-2001.</p>
<p>The interesting thing about the addition of Hull is that he fills the role of a staff member who has yet to be fired. Jim Hostler just finished his first season as the Colts' wide receivers coach and is still listed on the team's coaching staff page. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.stampedeblue.com/2016/2/2/10894866/jim-hostler-staying-on-colts-coaching-staff-but-role-uncertain">A report last week from FOX Sports' Alex Marvez</a> could prove to be key here: Marvez said that Hostler was staying on the Colts' staff but that he may or may not be changing roles. That gave the impression that the Colts might be looking for a new receivers coach, and it appears they have found one. The tight end coach position is still open, so if the Colts want to they could move Hostler there, but he has never coached the position before. Instead, if Hostler really is going to stay on staff, he could become an offensive assistant or something like that.</p>
<p>It seems the Colts are serious about improving their wide receiver position and maximizing the talent at the position, as the reported hiring of Lee Hull comes soon after <a target="_blank" href="http://www.stampedeblue.com/2016/2/8/10939914/colts-appear-to-have-hired-andrew-hayes-stoker-as-assistant-to-the-head-coach">it seems the Colts hired Andrew Hayes-Stoker as assistant to the head coach</a>. Hayes-Stoker, of course, most recently coached wide receivers for the <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a>. With talented young players such as <span>T.Y. Hilton</span>, <span>Donte Moncrief</span>, and <span>Phillip Dorsett</span> at the receiver position, it makes sense for the Colts to focus on the area and want to develop them well.</p>
https://www.stampedeblue.com/2016/2/9/10950782/morgan-state-head-coach-lee-hull-to-become-colts-wide-receivers-coachJosh Wilson2016-02-08T15:07:20-05:002016-02-08T15:07:20-05:00Colts appear to have hired assistant to head coach
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<p>According to the Colts' staff page (as pointed out by Brent Fatig), it appears the Colts have hired Andrew Hayes-Stoker as their assistant to head coach Chuck Pagano.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Indianapolis Colts</a> continue to fill out their coaching staff, as head coach Chuck Pagano is taking his time and making sure that he gets the right people in place. The team still has an opening at tight ends coach, but it seems they have also added an assistant to head coach Chuck Pagano.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ShouldntBragBut/status/696779950381264896">Brent Fatig very astutely pointed out on twitter</a> that the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.colts.com/team/staff.html">Colts' staff page on their website lists Andrew Hayes-Stoker</a> as the assistant to the head coach, though there is no link to a bio yet available. The Colts have made no announcement, but it seems they may have let it slip that they have a new assistant head coach.</p>
<p>Hayes-Stoker spent last year working as the wide receivers coach of the <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a>, doing a very good job with <span>Mike Evans</span> and helping a promising receiver group. With Dirk Koetter taking over as head coach, however, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2016/1/25/10827496/buccaneers-announce-complete-2016-coaching-staff">he opted to replace Hayes-Stoker with Todd Monken</a>, who also becomes Tampa Bay's offensive coordinator. Prior to his time with the Buccaneers, he spent time at Florida Atlantic University coaching running backs (2013) and was the assistant wide receivers coach for the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bears</a> for three seasons under Lovie Smith (2010-2012). He also worked as the football operations and offensive assistant with the Bears for four seasons before that (2006-2009), as well as working as an offensive quality control graduate assistant with Texas A&M in 2005 and 2006. As a player, he backed up <span>LaDainian Tomlinson</span> at the running back position at TCU for a few years and was a two-time captain, playing from 1999-2002.</p>
<p>The Colts had the assistant to the head coach position open after Rob Chudzinski took over as offensive coordinator. The former <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Browns</a> head coach was hired in 2014 to the position with the Colts and stayed on staff in 2015, though midway through the year replaced Pep Hamilton as offensive coordinator. The Colts announced that Chud will be their offensive coordinator moving forward, leaving his old job open. It seems that Hayes-Stoker takes over there, and it appears that Pagano once again has gone with an offensive-minded coach at the position to help him manage that side of the ball. It remains to be seen what exactly Hayes-Stoker's role is with the team and what his responsibilities include, but it appears that the team has hired him as their assistant to the head coach.</p>
https://www.stampedeblue.com/2016/2/8/10939914/colts-appear-to-have-hired-andrew-hayes-stoker-as-assistant-to-the-head-coachJosh Wilson2016-02-05T16:16:25-05:002016-02-05T16:16:25-05:00Jemal Singleton to be Colts' running backs coach
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<p>According to Sports Illustrated's Thayer Evans, Arkansas assistant coach Jemal Singleton will be the Colts' new running backs coach.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Indianapolis Colts</a> still have a few assistant coach openings on their staff, though it sounds like they've filled another one. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.si.com/nfl/2016/02/05/jemal-singleton-indianapolis-colts-running-backs-coach">According to Sports Illustrated's Thayer Evans</a>, Arkansas running backs coach and special teams coordinator Jemal Singleton is heading to Indianapolis to become the Colts' new running backs coach.</p>
<p>Singleton spent one year at Arkansas, as he was hired in 2015 and saw immediate success. Running back Alex Collins had a tremendous year that prompted him to declare for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft" class="sbn-auto-link">NFL Draft</a>. Prior to his time at Arkansas, he was the running backs coach at Oklahoma State for four seasons (2011-2014). He was a long-time Air Force assistant coach, spending eight seasons there. He was a varsity assistant from 2003-2005, then the running backs coach from 2006-2010. In addition to coaching running backs, he also had the title of run game coordinator for four seasons (2007-2010). In each season as Air Force's run game coordinator, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.arkansasrazorbacks.com/coache/jemal-singleton/">they ranked in the top ten in the country in rushing</a>. He previously had played at Air Force, earning three letters as a halfback and becoming one of just six Air Force players to be named a captain twice.</p>
<p>It seems that Singleton is a well-respected and good coach, so hopefully his addition will help the Colts' running backs. <span>Frank Gore</span> is a veteran who has produced at a high level in the NFL, but after that the Colts have some younger, less experienced players, and hopefully Singleton will especially be able to help those guys develop. The Colts now have one more true vacancy on their coaching staff (tight ends coach), though they could always choose to add other coaches at areas to bolster the staff even more.</p>
https://www.stampedeblue.com/2016/2/5/10924628/report-jemal-singleton-to-become-colts-running-backs-coach-arkansasJosh Wilson2016-02-04T13:08:07-05:002016-02-04T13:08:07-05:00No one (even Irsay) knew how Black Monday would go
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<p>Colts owner Jim Irsay told RTV6's Dave Furst this week that it's understandable for fans to be surprised that he kept Chuck Pagano and Ryan Grigson around because no one - including himself - knew for sure how Black Monday was going to go when the day started.</p> <p><a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Colts</a> owner Jim Irsay was not surprised as the reaction that came when the Colts announced on January 4 that head coach Chuck Pagano had signed an extension with the team.</p>
<p>For months leading up to that point, it was almost a given that Pagano would be fired and that the Colts would move on from him. So, when the opposite happened, the reaction was one of shock and bewilderment from fans, media, and everyone else. Irsay isn't surprised at people's surprise, however, in part because no one - not even the owner himself - knew for sure how Black Monday was going to turn out.</p>
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<p>"I think there could be a little surprise because, listen, when you go into this thing let me tell you something: on Monday (January 4), I did not - there was no one - that had the for sure answer how this was going to go,"<a target="_blank" href="http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/colts-owner-jim-irsay-wants-peyton-manning-to-retire-as-a-colt"> Irsay told RTV6's Dave Furst in a sit-down interview earlier this week</a>. "It was an organic process that happened when we had all afternoon and early evening <i>intense</i> conversations with Ryan and I alone, Chuck and I alone, and then Ryan and Chuck together, and then Ryan and I alone, and Chuck and I alone, and then us together. I'm happy to report I think two things: that both men have learned to communicate even clearer, and then the other thing, happy to report, is that in professional football it's about winning. Period. And you have to be able to be mentally tough enough to be able to go out, and I wanted to make sure, that Chuck and Ryan, and again, particularly Chuck even, could make those tough decisions."</p>
<p>Irsay said during the team's press conference on that Monday night in January that he entered the day hoping that things would get worked out, and that's exactly what ended up happening. But Irsay admits that no one, including himself, really knew for sure how it was going to go. It doesn't seem to be a case of an undecided owner trying to be persuaded, but rather it sounds like what Irsay really wanted to do was keep Ryan Grigson and Chuck Pagano both around. He knew, however, that with all of the tension that existed between the two of them, it couldn't just be business as normal moving forward. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.stampedeblue.com/2016/2/2/10901210/jim-irsay-made-chuck-pagano-ryan-grigson-work-things-out-before-extensions-colts">Irsay told ESPN's Mike Wells earlier this week</a> that he made Grigson and Pagano sit down and talk through things so that they would improve their communication and not keep things underneath the surface anymore. In other words, it seems that Irsay really wanted to keep both of them around but first needed to make sure they would be able to work out their differences and move forward together, and he was convinced enough of that during the long day of meetings that he opted to keep them around.</p>
<p>The Colts owner told Furst that, without a doubt, his team is in a better place now than they were before January 4.</p>
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<p>"No question," Irsay said. "One thing I've always said, and I believe this and I've told Chuck and Ryan this, sometimes the good is the enemy of great. Because you can be satisfied. You can say, ‘oh, but we've done this and this is better than! Look at how many games we won!' and all that sort of thing. But we're into this thing to get a world championship."</p>
<p>Jim Irsay believes he has the leaders in place to win that championship, but he first needed to make sure that they could work together and be unified in their pursuit of that one goal. When January 4 - a.k.a. Black Monday - began, no one knew what the outcome was going to be, but in the end Irsay emerged confident that Chuck Pagano and Ryan Grigson can lead the Colts to the promised land. Hopefully, he's right.</p>
https://www.stampedeblue.com/2016/2/4/10917128/jim-irsay-no-one-knew-how-black-monday-was-going-to-turn-out-for-colts-chuck-pagano-ryan-grigsonJosh Wilson2016-02-04T12:35:26-05:002016-02-04T12:35:26-05:00Report: Citadel DC taking assistant job with Colts
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<p>According to the Charleston Post and Courier's Jeff Hartsell, Citadel defensive coordinator Maurice Drayton is taking an assistant coaching job with the Colts. It sounds like he will help coach special teams.</p> <p>As the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Colts</a> continue their coaching search, it seems we can add another name to the list of new coaches. <a href="http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20160204/PC20/160209717/citadel-x2019-s-maurice-drayton-to-take-nfl-job-with-colts" target="_blank">According to the Charleston Post and Courier's Jeff Hartsell</a>, Citadel defensive coordinator and assistant head coach Maurice Drayton is leaving the school to take an assistant coaching position with the Indianapolis Colts. <a href="http://citadelsports.com/news/2016/2/4/FB_0204165654.aspx" target="_blank">The school has since confirmed</a> Drayton's resignation in order to take an NFL job.</p>
<p>Hartsell reports that <a href="https://twitter.com/Jeff_fromthePC/status/695226762612051968" target="_blank">Drayton will work with special teams</a>. The team's assistant special teams coach, Brant Boyer, was hired by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a> earlier this week to be their special teams coach, so Drayton presumably will be taking Boyer's position on the staff. The Colts' special teams coach is Tom McMahon, who has been in the position for the past three seasons.</p>
<p>Drayton began as a player at the Citadel, playing four seasons (1994-1998) and starting at cornerback for the final two, recording 145 tackles, 17 passes defensed, and three interceptions. He then spent the next seven seasons as an assistant coach on Citadel's staff, working in a number of roles - such as tight ends coach, wide receivers coach, outside linebackers coach, cornerbacks coach, defensive backs coach, recruiting coordinator, assistant special teams coordinator, and interim strength and conditioning coach. In 2006, he was the defensive coordinator for the Seinajoki (Finland) Crocodiles of the European Football League, and in 2007 he was an assistant principal and coach at a high school. Then from 2008-2009, Drayton was the defensive backs coach and special teams coach at South Carolina State, while he then headed to Coastal Carolina in 2010. He spent two seasons as assistant head coach, special teams coordinator, and wide receivers coach before then moving to being the team's secondary coach in 2012. Most recently, he has been the defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach at Citadel for the past few seasons and was their assistant head coach as well.</p>
<p>He has interned with three NFL teams in the past with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>, and Indianapolis Colts, giving him experience. This will be, however, his first NFL job. There has been no official announcement from the Colts yet nor any official word on his job status, but it sounds like it might be as the team's assistant special teams coach.</p>
https://www.stampedeblue.com/2016/2/4/10916778/report-citadel-defensive-coordinator-maurice-drayton-taking-assistant-coaching-job-with-coltsJosh Wilson2016-02-02T22:23:23-05:002016-02-02T22:23:23-05:00Report: Jets hiring Colts' Brant Boyer as ST coach
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<p>According to ESPN's Adam Caplan, the New York Jets are hiring Colts' assistant special teams coach Brant Boyer as their special teams coach.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Colts</a> will have a very different coaching staff in 2016 after making several moves this offseason, and it appears they now have one more spot to fill. <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/caplannfl/status/694697542123032576">According to ESPN's Adam Caplan</a>, the <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Jets</a> are hiring Colts' assistant special teams coach Brant Boyer as their special teams coach.</p>
<p>Boyer spent the past four seasons with the Colts in his position as the assistant special teams coach and had a lot of success in Indianapolis. In 2013, long snapper <span>Matt Overton</span> made the Pro Bowl, while in 2014 kicker <span>Adam Vinatieri</span> and punter <span>Pat McAfee</span> both made the Pro Bowl and were both named first-team All-Pros. Boyer, along with special teams coach Tom McMahon, oversaw the league's best kicking duo and helped the unit to new heights. McAfee set (and re-set) several franchise records, while Vinatieri has enjoyed the best statistical stretch of his career. Overton was signed in 2012 and the team stuck with him as the long snapper, developing him into a very reliable player. The return game has been a struggle in Indy, but the special teams unit as a whole has been tremendous.</p>
<p>Before his time coaching the Colts, Boyer was a training camp coaching intern with the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Browns</a> (2009) and <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Giants</a> (2010). He had a long NFL career as a player, as the Arizona State product played ten seasons in the league with the <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Dolphins</a>, <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Jacksonville Jaguars</a>, and Cleveland Browns. The linebacker played in 129 career games and recorded 250 tackles, 13 sacks, six interceptions, a forced fumble, and 15 passes defensed after being a sixth round pick of the Dolphins in 1994. He was terrific on special teams, being named a captain in that area with both the Jaguars and Browns and leading his team in special teams tackles twice.</p>
<p>The Jets <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-brant-boyer-new-special-teams-coordinator-article-1.2518282">will now have their fourth different special teams coach of the last four seasons</a>, so hopefully Boyer will have more success there than his predecessors. If his time in Indianapolis is any indication, this should turn out to be a good hire by the Jets.</p>
https://www.stampedeblue.com/2016/2/2/10902176/report-jets-hiring-colts-brant-boyer-as-special-teams-coachJosh Wilson2016-02-02T20:25:47-05:002016-02-02T20:25:47-05:00Irsay made Pagano, Grigson work things out
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<p>There was tension between Colts head coach Chuck Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson in 2015, and owner Jim Irsay made them work things out before he extended both of them.</p> <p>It appears we finally know the truth: there was, indeed, tension between <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Colts</a> general manager Ryan Grigson and head coach Chuck Pagano in 2015.</p>
<p>We don't know how deep this tension went, but we heard the numerous reports about how bad things had gotten at West 56th Street in Indianapolis. Jim Irsay heard it too, and that's why, before extending their contracts, he sat Grigson and Pagano down and had them address the tension and work through it.</p>
<p>"It was a question of making sure there was clear communication,"<a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/blog/indianapolis-colts/post/_/id/15784/colts-pagano-and-grigson-heart-to-heart-talk-before-the-coach-received-an-extension"> Irsay told ESPN's Mike Wells on Tuesday</a>. "If someone had a problem with something someone was doing, make sure you bring it up and clear the air immediately and don't just let it slide and simmer underneath you. Again, you like to have a little tension in your organization. You like to have two people with vision and they're going to fight for it. I really think it came together in an incredibly good way. I think all day Monday afternoon and early evening [on Jan. 4] was very important for those guys."</p>
<p>Irsay wanted whatever disagreements and tension that was there to be brought into the open and discussed, because he didn't want anything festering underneath the surface. When it comes to 'fight or flight,' Irsay said that Grigson is more fight but that Pagano is more flight, and he wanted to make sure that his general manager and head coach were communicating clearly and that they could co-exist moving forward.</p>
<p>An interesting portion of the interview includes Irsay's comments on Pagano, as the owner mentioned that the coach has to put football above emotion.</p>
<p>"Chuck is such a relationship guy and it's a strength of his," Irsay said. "But again, he can't let emotion, sentiment get in a way of winning in professional football. I've been real clear with Chuck and Ryan as well. You always try to continue to work on weaknesses any individual has."</p>
<p>Irsay went on to reaffirm that emotions can't sway your decisions when trying to win in the NFL and that it especially applies to Pagano. It seems that Pagano has earned Irsay's trust with some of the recent coaching moves (including firing Pep Hamilton mid-season and then the more recent changes), as they were tough on Pagano but moves he made nonetheless. Irsay knows what he's talking about in this area, as he made the toughest move of them all when he went against his emotions and cut <span>Peyton Manning</span> in 2012.</p>
<p>It's interesting to hear Jim Irsay talk more openly about what went into the long day of meetings on Monday, January 4, and what led to both Pagano and Grigson being given extensions. It appears that Irsay wanted the two to deal with their issues and open up clear lines of communication with each other so that no ill will or tension would be festering underneath the surface threatening to derail the team. That's exactly what needed to happen, and Irsay appears to have been satisfied enough with the meeting to extend both men. Let's just hope that ends up being the right football decision and not one of those emotional decisions that Irsay wants Pagano moving away from.</p>
https://www.stampedeblue.com/2016/2/2/10901210/jim-irsay-made-chuck-pagano-ryan-grigson-work-things-out-before-extensions-coltsJosh Wilson