The Indianapolis Colts didn’t name Jeff Saturday their permanent head coach on February 14. But that doesn’t mean Saturday won’t be rooting for Colts new head coach Shane Steichen.
Saturday wished Steichen good luck in his new position and explained that he will continue to cheer for the Colts in a video message that Saturday posted to his Twitter account.
“I want to wish Coach Steichen the best of luck,” Saturday said. “I’m still a huge Colt fan and pulling for you guys. Looking forward to hoisting some Lombardi trophies and excited for your opportunity.”
Saturday’s video message was nearly a minute and a half long. He concluded the message by again wishing Steichen the best.
“Coach Steichen, best of luck to you and your family. Indianapolis is an incredible town. Best fans in the world, man. Your getting the greatest support, and looking forward to watching your success.
Colts Nation- love y’all!
Saturday has now spent 13 and a half seasons with the Colts organization. He served as interim head coach for Indianapolis during the second half of the 2022 campaign.
Saturday Among Candidates Not Picked for Colts Head Coach Opening
Saturday remained among the finalists for the Colts head coaching job until the final hour.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on February 12 that the Colts zeroed in on Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen. On that day, the Colts also reportedly notified the other candidates, such as Saturday, of their plans to hire Steichen.
Saturday is 10 years older than Steichen, but Steichen has a lot more experience than the former Colts interim head coach.
Steichen joined the NFL in 2011 as a defensive assistant with the then San Diego Chargers at 26 years old.
He switched to the offensive side of the ball with the Cleveland Browns in 2013. Steichen then re-joined the Chargers coaching staff in 2014 and eventually became the team’s quarterbacks coach in 2016.
He received his first taste as an offensive coordinator with the Chargers in 2019. He stayed in that role during 2020 and then became the Eagles offensive coordinator in 2021.
As for Saturday, he jumped straight from the ESPN studio to the NFL sideline as a head coach. He had no previous NFL or college coaching experience.
Saturday won his first game as an NFL head coach, but the Colts then lost seven straight to finish the season.
Steichen Announces New Colts Play-Caller
The new Colts head coach declined to offer any clues on what other changes may or may not be coming for Indianapolis’ coaching staff. But Steichen did reveal during his introductory press conference that he will call the offensive plays.
That means history will repeat itself on a couple different levels.
In 2018, the Colts hired then Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich as head coach. While Indianapolis’ head coach, Reich called offensive plays.
From 2018-21, Reich did a terrific job writing game scripts, devising game plans and running the offense. In three of his first four seasons as Colts head coach, Reich led the offense to a Top 10 finish in points scored and a better than average ranking in total yards.
But the bottom fell out of Reich’s offense during 2022. In his final game as head coach, the Colts posted 121 offensive yards, allowed 9 sacks and went 0-for-14 on third down.
That disappointing end, though, clearly didn’t prevent the Colts from being interested in hiring Steichen as head coach. He will also be the team’s new offensive play-caller.
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Jeff Saturday Delivers Message to Colts New Head Coach Shane Steichen