NFL -Colts Clean House-8 Fired!
Staff shakeup reaches dizzying heights for Colts; eight let go
* Associated Press
* Published: Jan. 20, 2012 at 02:54 a.m.
INDIANAPOLIS -- Two weeks after cleaning out the front office and two days after firing coach Jim Caldwell, the Indianapolis Colts announced most of Caldwell's assistants are out of work, too.
Among the eight assistant coaches let go Thursday were defensive line coach John Teerlinck and his son, Bill; Frank Reich, the onetime quarterbacks coach who coached the receivers this season, and longtime conditioning coach Jon Torine. Linebackers coach Mike Murphy, who served on the staffs of Jim Mora, Tony Dungy and Caldwell and was promoted to defensive coordinator in late November, decided to retire after 27 seasons.
Defensive backs coach Alan Williams is leaving the Colts after 10 seasons to become the Minnesota Vikings' defensive coordinator.
Lombardi: Duck hunting for Colts?
The Colts need to think long-term success with their next coach. Michael Lombardi presents the perfect candidate. More ...
All this came despite the midseason firing of defensive coordinator Larry Coyer and the postseason firing of special teams coordinator Ray Rychleski, Caldwell's first two hires.
Team vice chairman Bill Polian and general manager Chris Polian were both fired the day after Indy finished a 2-14 season, its worst in two decades.
The other coaches let go Thursday were assistant Devin Fitzsimmons, offensive line coach Pete Metzelaars, special assistant to the defense Rod Perry, and quarterbacks coach Ron Turner.
Indy reportedly has sought permission to speak with Tennessee defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, New Orleans offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael and Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. A decision on the new head coach isn't likely to come until next week.
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press
|