Jeff Saturday Took 12 Hours to Make the Biggest Decision of His Life After Being Offered Indianapolis Colts Coaching Job: “Shocked Would Be an Understatement”

After firing their head coach, Frank Reich, the Indianapolis Colts and its owner, Jim Irsay, announced the current ESPN analyst as their new interim head coach. It was definitely a piece of great news for Jeff Saturday. And when Jim Irsay offered the job to the Colts legend, he had an apt reaction.

The Super Bowl-winning center played for the Indianapolis Colts for thirteen seasons. Saturday also served as an ESPN analyst and also guided a private school with a 55 per cent win-loss rate. Since Saturday is filling in for the role of interim head coach, the team will have to interview two minority candidates before naming him their full-time coach. The hire raised questions because the 47-year-old does not hold any experience as a coach in college or in the NFL.

Jeff Saturday explained what happened when the CEO of the Colts asked him to join the team as the interim HC. In his introductory press conference, six-time Pro Bowl detailed what transpired on the late-night call between him and Irsay. While explaining, he sounded more than a little bit shocked.

Read more: Less Than 24 Hours After Hiring Him, Colts Owner Compares Interim HC Jeff Saturday to Legendary NFL Coach Don Shula

The former offensive lineman said, “Shocked would be an understatement. We had a conversation and it escalated quickly. He asked me and my wife. He told me he was going to meet with [general manager] Chris [Ballard] about it. As the day progressed, we finally came to a conclusion. It was a 12-hour whirlwind. It was a late call.” Although Saturday said that he questioned his friend why he was considered for the job, he did express that he feels “fully capable.”

Jeff Saturday will pick a play-caller

The next important job for Saturday is to decide which play will start the game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Sunday will mark his debut as the new head coach. Deciding on the right athlete is crucial, as that will affect the matchup.

He announced that he will choose the right man for the job at the controversial press conference where he was announced as the head coach of Indy.

“I’ve met with the offensive staff,” Saturday said, “and then already a few guys. And I’ll continue that through the night and come to a conclusion, and we’ll roll from there…There are guys in that offensive room who have called a lot of games and a lot of plays, and there’s a lot of men that have put a lot of time into this. So I have no fear I will pick the right guy, and we will ride with it.”

The ride may be tricky or maybe not. Since he is an experienced player, Saturday may bring the proper guidance in the offense that is so much required right now.

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