The Indianapolis Colts are one of the premier franchises in the NFL at the present. Since 1999, they've made the playoffs and won 10 games in all but one season. They've won at least 12 games in the past six. They've had offensive coordinator Tom Moore and offensive line coach Howard Mudd in place during that entire timespan. Tony Dungy was the head coach for the past seven. All three have now departed. Their replacements are Jim Caldwell (head coach), Clyde Christensen (offensive coordinator) and Pete Metzelaars (offensive line coach). Translation: The Colts just drastically downgraded at three very important coaching positions.
Not only that, but the promotion of those three coaches (all held lower positions with the Colts for the past several years) means they had to hire new lower-level coaches. WIth this trio holding new, more powerful positions and the trickle-down effect it has on the rest of the staff, the continuity the Colts wanted by elevating Caldwell is kind of canceled out. It's probably going to feel like an entirely new staff for the players anyway. Let us also not forget that respected defensive coordinator Ron Meeks is gone and he's been replaced by Larry Coyer. Coyer's very respected in terms of his defensive coaching abilities, but the players had been under Meeks' command since 2002. They also have a new special teams coach who has never worked in the NFL.
The losses of Moore, Mudd and Dungy especially downgrade the Colts, though. You can say what you want about Dungy, but the guy just wins football games, and he did come through with Indianapolis' lone Super Bowl title. He also commands an uncanny amount of respect from his players -- as much as any other coach in the league -- and many love him like a friend or father figure. Moore was easily one of the best offensive coordinators in the NFL and the rapport between him and Peyton Manning in the Colts high-octane offense can't be matched. Mudd is so respected by stalwart center Jeff Saturday that Saturday's still holding out hope his coach will be back before the season begins.
This isn't to say the Colts won't be competitive in 2009. They will. They still -- pardon the pun -- have too many horses to not compete for the AFC South title and will probably make yet another playoff visit. Manning has evolved into a quasi-coach on the field anyway. That being said, coaching matters in the NFL, and the Colts got worse in a big way since they lost that playoff game in San Diego last January. We'll see how much it affects them on the field in 2009, but the new coaches certainly are staring at sky-high expectations thanks to the dearly departed.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-19-2009 @ 6:04PM
Pete Metcalf said...
Matt: When you write a piece, you can't assume things for your readers. Sure, maybe many read previous stories about the "forced" retirements of Mudd and Moore due to changes in the NFL pension rules, but to someone who is reading your article cold, there is not one shred of rationale offered for why these two men are no longer coaching. Dungy retired. That's known (although you didn't mention that either). But your piece is incomplete and assumes information not necessarily in the "hands" of your readers. Mudd and Moore left because the pension rules changed. What were those changes? How did they apply to Mudd and Moore that resulted in their respective decisions to retire? Why didn't other coaches around the NFL retire? Lots of questions. Too many assumptions on your part. Just FYI. Not breaking your horns.
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5-19-2009 @ 6:12PM
Matt Snyder said...
It's a fair point that more background could have been given, but I chose to discuss this from purely the way it affects the team on the field. In that respect, it doesn't really matter why the coaches are gone. They're gone and the new guys aren't as good.
But yeah, you're right. Some people could mistake the motives as my attacking the Colts organization, for example, for deciding to move in a different direction at head coach when that obviously isn't the case.
5-19-2009 @ 6:51PM
Pete Metcalf said...
Fair point.
I didn't read it as you attacking the Colts organization at all. I got what you were saying- that the Colts are simply less experienced on the sidelines than they were last year. No question that's the case.
I used to publish an NFL magazine so I always read these blogs as if they are complete stories when I should realize you are limited in space and scope. You do a fine job making your gains/ points when you get to carry the ball.
Stay well.
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5-19-2009 @ 7:29PM
fouritiswritten said...
i'll be glad to play for them any-time
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5-19-2009 @ 9:33PM
gdbbbsoccer said...
your comments that the colts are for the worst for the coaching changes, that were made this off season is to early to comment on. the three coaches that retired, on their own or because of the new nfl policies. were outstanding coaches no doubt. but the three that replaced them have been with organization for many years. the colts have a history of just plugging in different pieces to the puzzle and keep on winning. my last thought is the colts know more about the nfl and how it works and what it takes to keep on winning, than the average person commenting on these pages.
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5-19-2009 @ 9:44PM
pyramid1946 said...
Where do you see anyone attacking the Colts in these comments except in your own mind? Where do you see anyone claiming to know more about winning than the Colts, except in you own mind? Snyder took three experienced coaches- Dungy, Mudd and Moore- and said that the three guys replacing them aren't as good. You say the Colts "have a history of plugging in different pieces to the puzzle and keep on winning". Where's the proof of that? Dungy replaced Mora. Mora never won a playoff game with the Colts. So Mudd, Moore and Dungy replaced coaches who never won a playoff game for Indy. Then you say it's too early to tell if these three new coaches will do as well as the guys they replaced. Nobody has a crystal ball, man- opinion is what these blogs are all about. Anybody can say wait and see, like you are. Why bother to even post if you don't have an opinion ?
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5-19-2009 @ 10:32PM
CJ said...
I have heard that Caldwell's contract with the Colts states that if he doesnt match what Dungy did last year, which is get them to the playoffs, then the Colts can fire him and replace him. I think that'll happen. The Colts are long overdue for a bad season where they miss the playoffs and it's time to collect. I predict that the Colts will finish dead last in the AFC South division and a new coach will be there next season. Tony Dungy will be a greater missing link there than the fans think or at least will admit.
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5-19-2009 @ 11:10PM
Natalie said...
How many championships did the Colts with with those coaches? One, just one.
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5-26-2009 @ 11:18AM
superchicksfan said...
You know nothing about the colts. They will be just as good, if not better than they have been. Not a whole lot has changed. The replacements have been groomed the past few years. The organization had planned for the retirements, they just came earlier than expected. And Moore and Mudd will be back as consultants, so really, there's no loss there.
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