Following Indianapolis’ 22-13 win over the Texans in the season finale, head coach Chuck Pagano was let go as the team’s head coach, WISH-TV in Indianapolis’ Anthony Calhoun reports (Twitter link). 
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported late Saturday night that the team was expected to part ways with the coach following Sunday’s performance. The team followed through, firing the head coach less than hour after the final whistle.
Pagano, who was two years into a four-year deal with the team, served as the Colts head coach since 2012 and amassed a record of 53-43 that included three postseason appearances. During his tenure, Pagano ushered the team into a new era after the release of Peyton Manning. With the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the team tabbed Andrew Luck and pulled off three consecutive 11-5 campaigns with the Stanford product under center. In 2014, the Colts advanced to the AFC Championship game but were defeated by the eventual Super Bowl-champion Patriots, 45-7.
In 2015, Luck missed nine of 16 games and the team skidded to an 8-8 mark. Following another .500 campaign in 2016, Indianapolis parted ways with GM Ryan Grigson but decided to keep Pagano on for another season.
The writing was on the wall early for Pagano in 2017. Luck never got on the field following a lingering shoulder injury and the team posted its worst record since 2011.
Team owner and CEO Jim Irsay issued a statement following the firing, saying:
“Chuck Pagano provided Colts fans with many exciting wins and memories as head coach of the Colts. Throughout his tenure in Indianapolis, he impacted the lives of the players he coached, those who he worked with in the organization and Colts fans across the globe. Chuck’s first season was one of the more inspirational stories in NFL history as he courageously battled and overcame leukemia. As a result, his CHUCKSTRONG Foundation has raised millions for cancer research. We are thankful for Chuck’s contributions to our franchise and community and we wish him, Tina and the entire Pagano family nothing but the best moving forward.”
I think everyone saw this coming. I thought for sure some Jim Harbaugh would go back to the Colts and coach his old QB Luck but I don’t think Harbaugh leaves Michigan this season, maybe next but I think for sure one more year with Michigan. I can see the Colts going after Gruden if he doesn’t go to the Raiders but I really think the Raiders will do whatever it takes to get Gruden. Maybe the Colts get McDaniels? Maybe Arians goes back and coaches the Colts? Really not sure who will end up their HC but this move was needed. I will not blame everything on Pagano though, this team hasn’t put much talent out there. Their O Line sucks year in and year out, they need another WR to go with Hilton and their Defense needs a lot of work.
Harbaugh has at least 3-4 more years at Michigan. Don’t be surprised though if the colts do whatever it takes to lure him back to the NFL. But I don’t see it happening
Yea I know he has years left on his contract but that means nothing really. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Colts try really hard to bring him back to the NFL to coach them but I have a feeling Harbaugh stays at least one more year now that he may finally have a QB in Michigan. We shall see I guess. I think if the Colts don’t land a big name HC this off season I could see them trying for Harbaugh again next season and actually getting him. Just my gut feeling. Curious to see who all gets fired and who ends up where.
John Fox
That didn’t take long. Should’ve been gone last year
Just proves the value of a franchise QB. With Luck healthy… he has a job. Without a franchise QB…. he gone
They need an offensive line to keep Luck upright
Yea I agree with mcdusty. They need to fix or at lead improve that O Line. They have been garbage for a few years and Luck get killed back there or has to scramble way too much. Can’t expect him to carry your team when he has no time to throw.