The Colts are making big changes. Vice-Chairman Bill Polian and General Manager Chris Polian have been fired by owner Jim Irsay.
Bill Polian has been with the Colts since December 22, 1997. He was hired a day after that season and now fired a day after the 2011-12 season.
Irsay has had lots of time this season to evaluate team management and decide on the future direction of the team. Bill Polian has been with the team the last 14 years and certainly left his mark, more positive than negative.
Like legendary Coach Bob Knight, Bill Polian wore out his welcome. You can treat people poorly when you’re winning. But after this last season, finishing with a NFL-worst 2-14 record, people got tired of it. He’s the only non-coach I know of in the NFL to have his own radio show. Not the coach, but Bill Polian. There’s no question Polian did tremendous things during his time in Indy, but change was necessary in this instance.
Earlier Monday, Jim Caldwell said he was moving forward as head coach until he heard otherwise. And now it all makes sense. With Jim Irsay bringing in a new general manager, let him decide who the next coach will be and allow him the opportunity to retain Caldwell, if he so desires.
And this is just the beginning. Expect a lot more changes to be made and actions transpire over the next few months. The Colts hold the top pick in the upcoming 2012 NFL Draft.
Jim Irsay will speak to the media and officially announce the move at 5 p.m.
Following the news, a few players reacted on twitter.
I wonder who the new boss will be?
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 2, 2012
So what happens now??? — Pierre Garcon (@PierreGarcon85) January 2, 2012
whoaaaa!!!!! Bill and Chris Polian fired — ROBERT MATHIS (@RobertMathis98) January 2, 2012
Wow
— Jacob Lacey (@YungLace27) January 2, 2012
[…] Jim Irsay fired Bill and Chris Polian. This week, alongside new GM Ryan Grigson, Irsay will have to decide whether to retain head coach […]