Colts owner Jim Irsay expects Chuck Pagano to bring more than tough talk to Indianapolis. He wants results.
One day after hiring Pagano as his new coach, Irsay introduced the former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator as the man asked to rebuild the franchise.
"I really believe Chuck is bringing a toughness, the leadership we need at this point for the franchise," Irsay told reporters, noting that eight candidates were considered before he hired of Pagano.
Pagano, 51, said the process had been a "whirlwind," since the Ravens lost just a few days ago in the AFC Championship Game.
"Words can't describe the emotions that I'm going through right now and the feelings," Pagano said. "Coming off probably the most devastating loss that I've ever been a part of in the AFC Championship Game and to go in that locker room and see those faces, and we all know how hard it is to get to that stage and to see the tears. It's an all-time low, and the last thing I ever expected came across my table and now I sit here at an all-time high."
Smith: Recent hires don't quite fit
Jason Smith doesn't dislike any of the head-coaching hires, but he writes that some could have been matched better to their situations. **More ...**
Clearly, Pagano's job won't be easy.
The first-time head coach will work with a first-time general manager, Ryan Grigson, and the next big move will be to decide what to do with four-time NFL MVP Peyton Manning, who missed the entire season after having his latest neck surgery in September. The Colts must pay Manning $28 million by March 8 or risk losing him as an unrestricted free agent.
Pagano would only say the situation with Manning "will take care of itself."
Another decision for Pagano, who ran a 3-4 defense in Baltimore, is whether or not he will make that switch in Indianapolis, which is built with personnel to run a 4-3 defense.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
