Colts owner Jim Irsay and former interim head coach Jeff Saturday. Robert Scheer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Colts' Jim Irsay reportedly wants Jeff Saturday as HC, getting pushback within organization

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 1/25/23

The Indianapolis Colts sent shockwaves through the NFL after naming ESPN analyst and former Colt Jeff Saturday as head coach, replacing the fired Frank Reich in Week 10. However, if owner Jim Irsay has his way, the Colts might stun the football world again by removing the interim tag from Saturday's title.

According to CBS Sports NFL insider Josina Anderson, Irsay wants Saturday as head coach of the Colts, despite pushback from people within the organization and those who have the owners' "ear."

In Indy, I'm told Jim Irsay still has desires to hire Jeff Saturday, but some who work w/ the owner or have his ear, while feeling Saturday is a great person—are not in favor of him as a HC, per source. We'll see if the #Colts make it through the list of expected 2nd interviews.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) January 25, 2023

Saturday did little to right the Colts' sputtering ship after coming aboard in November. Following a 25-20 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in his coaching debut, the Colts went 0-7 under Saturday, finishing the year 4-12-1 overall.

The Colts interviewed Saturday last week and reportedly met with him again Wednesday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Meanwhile, Rob Maaddi of The Associated Press reports that the Colts have trimmed their list of coaching candidates down to seven or eight, including Saturday.

As the owner, Irsay has the final word and is apparently ready to get more involved in the hiring process. According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, Irsay was not present for the first group of interviews but would be part of the second round.

Irsay sees something in Saturday that others within the organization don't. Saturday had a tremendous 14-year career in the NFL, but a few seasons of high school football coaching experience didn't transfer to the pro level. He often looked overmatched on the NFL sidelines, and the team's results proved this. Nevertheless, Irsay might already have his mind made up despite the cavalcade of coaches who general manager Chris Ballard presented. All in all, the Colts have interviewed 14 candidates and may, in the end, settle on Saturday.

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