Indianapolis Colts They’ve interviewed 13 candidates for the head coaching job, but interim head coach Jeff Saturday remains owner Jim Irsay’s favorite, despite the wishes of those around him, according to reports.
Saturday, who was hired in early November after the Colts fired former head coach Frank Reich following a three-game losing streak, he was scheduled to have his second interview on Wednesday, ESPN reported.
Indianapolis Colts number 2 Matt Ryan talks with Indianapolis Colts head coach Jeff Saturday during the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Indianapolis.
(Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
He was first interviewed on January 19 after finishing the season 1-7.
COLTS GM CHRIS BALLARD ADMITS HE HAS ‘FAILED’, WEIRDLY EQUAL NFL LAID-OFFS TO BEING ‘CANCELLED’
General manager Chris Ballard told the media earlier this month that the Colts put together «a very detailed process» to fill their head coaching vacancy. However, according to a report, Irsay has his sights set on Saturday.
Sources told The Score’s Jordan Schultz that Saturday remains Irsay’s «No. 1 choice» while others in the front office «prefer different top candidates.»
According to the report, Irsay has also not attended most of the interviews.
Irsay wrote an open letter to the Colts’ fan base thanking them for their loyalty, despite knowing «how hard season 2022 It was for all of you to bear.»
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, left, and general manager Chris Ballard watch pregame warmups before a preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis.
(Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
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«We all had the highest hopes for a division title and a deep playoff run. But the bottom line is that we couldn’t live up to the hope and excitement we all felt at the start of the season,» the letter read. «I share your frustration. I can’t stand losing, and I hate letting our fans down, and we had too much of both last year.»
However, reports that he could land the head coaching job on Saturday might not sit well with the fan base. A petition against Saturday’s hiring began circulating on social media on Wednesday.
«We as Colts fans will always love the memories of the SB XLI team; we love the former players and the people they have become, but we don’t want Jeff Saturday as the head coach of this team going forward. «, the petition. read.
Indianapolis Colts interim head coach Jeff Saturday, right, greets tight end Nikola Kalinic before an NFL football game against the Los Vegas Raiders in Las Vegas, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022.
(AP Photo/David Becker)
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«Hire someone with experience and keep your fan base from rebelling and losing interest.»
The petition reached more than 1,800 signatures as of Thursday afternoon.