Chuck Pagano Signs Four-Year Extension With Colts

Despite rumors that he was on the way out of Indianapolis, Colts head coach Chuck Pagano will be staying put. On Monday, Colts owner Jim Irsay announced that he had given the coach a four-year extension.

“I’m happy to announce that we are moving forward with Chuck as our coach,” owner Jim Irsay said. “It was something I was hopeful would be the case. We gave it careful consideration. Really, it was something, you know my focus was always on winning and going forward in the best way we can to win, and yes, continuity plays a role. It is important.”

General manager Ryan Grigson was also given a three-year deal; he and Pagano are both under contract through 2019.

There were rumors that Pagano would not be returning to the Colts. He turned down an extension after last season and the team struggled this year; quarterback Andrew Luck missed a significant amount of time and Indianapolis missed the postseason for the first time since 2011.

Those struggles, however, did not discourage Irsay.

“We’ve overcome a lot,” he said. “This year was tough obviously, 8-8 and falling short of the playoffs is difficult, but at the same time to be right in there with the injuries we had at quarterback, I’m proud of the organization, proud of the way we fought back, and I’m convinced that we have the right stuff on my right and left here going forward to win a world championship.”

I’ve had a lot of great days in my life, but none better than today,”  Pagano added. “I’m grateful and thankful to Mr. Irsay and his family. Words can’t describe how I feel right now. I owe it to Jim for believing in me.”

Photo: Colts head coach Chuck Pagano by Angie Six, via Flickr the Commons

Article by Joe Kozlowski