The Colts have fired offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Coach Rob Chudzinski will be promoted in his place, as Tom Pelissero of USA Today tweets.
This season has not gone as planned for the Colts, who are the defacto No. 1 team in the AFC South. Locked at 3-5 with the Texans for first place, the Colts are looking to shake things up and save their season. Chudzinski, who previously held the title of associate head coach in Indianapolis, drew interest from multiple teams with offensive coordinator vacancies over the offseason. The Colts did not allow him to pursue those jobs and that was probably because they viewed him as a safety net for Hamilton.
Hamilton has garnered some head coaching buzz in the past but the Colts’ offensive performance this season hasn’t done him any favors in that regard. Of course, Hamilton has built up a strong reputation as an offensive mind over the years and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him get back into the OC mix this spring.
Pep is not the fall guy. He is the problem. 2nd half Carolina game. 3rd n short.
Same run play TE (Colby) motion run where TE stops. Stuffed 3 times.
C’mon Man!!!
Take that 8 play high school play book with you.
The first domino. The Colts can clearly upgrade from Hamilton, as he hasn’t exactly devised groundbreaking schemes for his limitless quarterback. But they’re probably ready for an overhaul after the Panthers loss and what looks to be a 3-6 start with the Broncos coming to Indianapolis on Sunday. Exposing an injured Luck against the league’s top defense could be the tipping point for Chuck Pagano.
Pep had struggles and successes and more struggles in Indianapolis, but if he was the problem he is far from the only problem. He is the fall guy in that he buys Pagano another week or two in order to change the course, and keeps another fall guy in front of Ryan Grigson who should also be on the hot seat.