Article 65S9F Report: Colts' Irsay was hell-bent on Saturday despite concerns from top execs

Report: Colts' Irsay was hell-bent on Saturday despite concerns from top execs

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Caio Miari
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Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay hired former center Jeff Saturday as interim head coach despite members of the team's front office expressing concerns regarding the move, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Multiple Colts' top executives - including team president Pete Ward and general manager Chris Ballard - shared their reservations to Irsay, but the owner was hell-bent on hiring Saturday, according to Rapoport.

In a stunning move, Indianapolis announced that Saturday would replace Frank Reich, who the team fired as head coach Monday after a 26-3 loss to the New England Patriots in Week 9. Saturday's been a consultant for the Colts over the last few years while also serving as an analyst for ESPN.

The 47-year-old is a member of the team's Ring of Honor, having played for Indianapolis from 1999-2011. Saturday, who made five Pro Bowls with the Colts and helped them win one Super Bowl, has never coached above the high school level.

Irsay initially called Saturday during the loss to the New England Patriots, asking him about Indy's O-line issues. The Colts allowed nine sacks against the Patriots.

Pass game specialist and assistant quarterbacks coach Parks Frazier will be the Colts' offensive play-caller in Week 10 against the Las Vegas Raiders. The 30-year-old has no experience in the role. Indianapolis initially offered play-calling duties to Scott Milanovich without any revision to his existing contract, which led the quarterbacks coach to reject the offer, according to Rapoport.

Hiring Saturday to replace Reich isn't the only major move in what's been a disappointing season for the 3-5-1 Colts. They previously benched quarterback Matt Ryan for Sam Ehlinger and parted ways with offensive coordinator Marcus Brady.

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