Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Friday, January 27, 2012
(INDIANAPOLIS, IN) - The Indianapolis Colts introduced new Head Coach Chuck Pagano to the media on Thursday.
The 51-year-old Pagano comes to the Colts after spending four seasons as an assistant coach with the Baltimore Ravens, this past season as defensive coordinator.
He says he will spend his first days getting to know the team and says it is his responsibility to re-energize the organization.
Team Owner Jim Irsay says he and General Manager Ryan Grigson considered eight candidates before hiring Pagano.
The hiring took a back seat when Irsay met with the media following the Pagano news conference and talked about quarterback Peyton Manning.
Irsay was critical of Manning's comments to the Indianapolis Star on Monday in which the four-time league MVP expressed dismay over the ongoing housecleaning that has claimed much of the team's coaching staff as well as Vice Chairman Bill Polian.
Irsay referred to Manning as "a politician" and was not happy about the quarterback painting the franchise in a negative light in public.
Manning missed all of last season following neck surgery and is owed a 28-million-dollar option bonus by March 8th.
If the Colts do not pay the bonus, Manning would become an unrestricted free agent and could play for another franchise if he is healthy.
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