The Indianapolis Colts held a press conference Monday night introducing Jeff Saturday as the interim head coach, taking over for Frank Reich, who was fired earlier in the day.
The press conference, which was moved back twice after its initial announcement, featured owner Jim Irsay, general manager Chris Ballard and Saturday himself.
It was certainly an entertaining presser. Irsay essentially threw Reich under the bus while pumping up Saturday with stories from yesteryear and comparing Ballard to Michael Jordan. Yeah.
Here are the takeaways from the introductory press conference:
Irsay opens with a thank you to Frank Reich
#Colts Jim Irsay: We're excited about going forward with our future. First and foremost, a big thank you to Frank Reich.
— Angela Moryan (@SidelineStormer) November 8, 2022
Timing of firing was intuitive
Irsay: Decision is an intuitive thing. I've been thankful. I've never hired a losing HC in my life.
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) November 8, 2022
Irsay says Jeff Saturday is 'full experienced enough'
Jim Irsay on his interim coach Jeff Saturday:
"Yes, he is fully experienced enough. Yes, he is fully capable."
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) November 8, 2022
Irsay says he's glad he doesn't have NFL experience
Jim Irsay on Jeff Saturday: "I'm glad he doesn't have NFL experience."
He said Saturday lacks the fear that forces many of today's coaches to rely on analytics.
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) November 8, 2022
Interim job was not offered to anyone else
Irsay says the interim position was not offered to anyone else.
— Jake Arthur (@JakeArthurNFL) November 8, 2022
No talk of permanent role
Irsay: There's no talk of permanence at this point.
Thinks Saturday should be a promising candidate to be a long term head coach, but will have to go through that interview process. #Colts
— Angela Moryan (@SidelineStormer) November 8, 2022
No decision on who will call plays
Jeff Saturday hasn't made a decision on the offensive play caller yet. Has interviewed coaches on the staff and will make a decision later tonight. #Colts
— George Bremer (@gmbremer) November 8, 2022
Jeff Saturday was shocked to get the call
Jeff Saturday on getting the call from Jim Irsay about this job:
"Shocked would be an understatement."
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) November 8, 2022
Saturday spoke with John Lynch
Saturday mentioned his conversations with John Lynch and how he prepared to be a GM on how he tried to prepare himself over time to become a coach. He's been studying, learning, and taking notes. Says his strongest quality is that he's a leader of men. It's his passion.
— Jake Arthur (@JakeArthurNFL) November 8, 2022
Ballard said they tried to hire Saturday multiple times in the past
Chris Ballard:
Said he had a spirited conversation with Jim Irsay after the game.
Said they tried to hire Saturday as offensive line coach in 2019, tried to hire him again this year.
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) November 8, 2022
Irsay expects Ballard back in 2023
Irsay says he expects Chris Ballard to be back in 2023.
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) November 8, 2022
Irsay defending Ballard even more
Irsay passionately defending Ballard. "We know that things have drifted, and some times that happens in this game." #Colts
— George Bremer (@gmbremer) November 8, 2022
Ballard: We're not throwing in towel in
#Colts GM Chris Ballard: "We're not throwing in the towel."
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) November 8, 2022
Sam Ehlinger, Bernhard Raimann will start
Sam Ehlinger will be the quarterback, and Saturday says Bernhard Raimann will be the left tackle.
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) November 8, 2022
Irsay compared Ballard to Michael Jordan
#Colts owner Jim Irsay says "of course" he expects GM Chris Ballard to be back after this season.
"You know how many shots Michael Jordan has missed?" Irsay asks, defending Ballard.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 8, 2022
