Former Indianapolis Colts player Jeff Saturday. IndyStar-USA TODAY Sports

Colts' interim head coach choice leaves Twittersphere dumbfounded

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 11/7/22

Soon after the Indianapolis Colts relieved Frank Reich of his head coaching duties, owner Jim Irsay named Jeff Saturday as the team's interim lead man. To say that folks on Twitter were surprised would be a massive understatement.

I'm sorry ... what https://t.co/Fx9xP5OMPr
— Josh Schrock (@Schrock_And_Awe) November 7, 2022

The man's name makes it pretty clear he'd be better off coaching in college. https://t.co/uRVzgQwbXq
— Chris Mueller (@ChrisMuellerPGH) November 7, 2022

I really thought this was a joke at first https://t.co/eFksdzTgBw
— Antwan V. Staley (@antwanstaley) November 7, 2022

While Saturday obviously has an extensive history with the Colts, the fact that the organization is electing not to go with an assistant coach to take over the job for now stunned many.

Assuming Schefter wasn't hacked, this is one of the most egregious hirings in sports history. Can you imagine what the actual coaches on that staff are thinking? https://t.co/I0QurFUypn
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) November 7, 2022

Jim Irsay might have to call for his own oustering after hand-picking Jeff Saturday to he his new head coach.

The disrespect it shows for the position. 32 of these jobs on the planet. I guess anyone can do it? Maybe Casey Rabach will be running the Commanders on Sunday.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) November 7, 2022

The Colts bypass two former NFL head coaches already on staff — Gus Bradley, John Fox — and a rising head-coaching candidate in Bubba Ventrone, to name former center Jeff Saturday the interim coach.

That is a real sentence.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) November 7, 2022

A six-time Pro Bowler and two-time First Team All-Pro, Saturday was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 1998 but was cut and subsequently signed with Indianapolis. Saturday spent his first 12 seasons with the Colts from 1999 through 2 011, before wrapping up his career with the Green Bay Packers in 2012.

According to Zak Keefer of The Athletic, Saturday's future with Indianapolis is still uncertain, despite Monday's news.

From what I've heard, wouldn't be stunned if this is more of an audition for Jeff Saturday than your typical interim role.

As in: Colts want to see if he could be the full-time answer at head coach. Why else go outside the building with other qualified candidates?
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) November 7, 2022

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