BREAKING NEWS: Colts Release Head Coach Jim Caldwell
Brett Mock examines the Colts announcement that Jim Caldwell will be relieved as the head coach -- and the whirlwind of media activity that suggested he would be retaining his job over the past days.
The Indianapolis Colts have officially announced the release of Head Coach Jim Caldwell. This news comes in the face of numerous local rumors, and those that have spread on the internet -- that were often reported as fact -- pronouncing that Caldwell was going to be retained.
The rumors and reports were setting off widespread fan reactions and media discussions that, as it turns out, were not based in reality. It is for reasons like this that Colts Authority has an editorial policy in place that requires certain standards be met before we report on such things.
Consider that Jake Query tweeted that he expected an official announcement that Caldwell would be retained within 4 days on Saturday. The IndyStar's Phil B. Wilson tweeted that he was under the impression that Caldwell was staying as well. Star colleague Mike Chappell likewise submitted that he expected an official announcement that Caldwell would be retained.
With this mountain of rumors, other sources started to run with the story as though it was a certainty. Stampede Blue recently reported that Jim Caldwell will indeed return as head coach. Covering the Twitter discussions would require more links than any one story could possibly contain.
It's certainly exciting when journalists and bloggers have "inside sources," who often choose to remain anonymous, providing information that has not been reported publicly. Everyone wants to break the story and everyone wants to feel like they have established enough rapport within the organization that they can begin setting the narrative for news about their favorite team -- or can solidify job security by doing so.
The problem with the changes going on in the front office now is that General Manager Ryan Grigson and Owner Jim Irsay are probably going to be making important transitions in the way the Indianapolis Colts connect with the media. On the one hand, the team may way to foster improved relations with local media, fans, and possibly new media like blogs. On the other hand, the team will want to maintain control over how those relationships develop and grow.
It would not surprise Colts Authority if some of the confusion behind what is going on at Colts headquarters isn't the byproduct of some of the coming changes -- whatever they may be. Sports Illustrated's Will Carroll tweeted that he thought this kind of confusion could be the product of Grigson running an internal leak test.
No matter what caused the misinformation to occur, and set off a series of wrong rumors about the Colts intentions with the head coaching position, these times highlight the importance of confirming sources and being responsible with reporting.
I chuckled a little. The Colts desk at the Indy Star finally says goodbye to the One Guy standing between them and Access, and these noobs still manage to get fooled by false rumors, and fool all of their readers in the process. I bet its the same guy: Dunkin Donuts with Chappell, followed by Starbucks with Phil Richards, lunch @ Hooters with Phill B. Wilson, stick Kravitz with the bar tab at Applebees, and home in time for dinner.
Well... it was about time. His true colars showed this year and last year. That 2009 year was all because of Dungy setting it up for him.
Man, Caldwell couldn't do anything right. He hired Coyer and Rychleski for only worsened the team. Glad he's gone!
The firing of Caldwell should have come at an earlier time. Why they waited this long to do it and let Fisher slip through their fingers, i dont know why. All that being said, I would have given Caldwell one more year with a better DC but i digress.
Lets just hope Spags is only their for the DC job and somebody else takes the head coaching position.
@RobertItoh I didn't want Fisher anyway.
The reason it didn't happen earlier is quite easy to explain - they wanted to let the new GM make the decision.
@Kyle Rodriguez he was never interviewed or contacted by the colts from my recollection, Plus i never heard him make any remarks about the Colts since the season ended, so of course there was no chance he would coach in indy.
4 Like
While it's certainly less exciting to read more factual and researched articles, it's also less of a waste of my time. THANK YOU for posting only after some semblance of research has been done more reason that this has become my main source of substantiated Colta information.
1 Like
The whole media thing is interesting to me. I was led and did believe that Caldwell was going to be our coach next year. If indeed this was a leak test, anyone who was in fear of losing their jobs, as "reported" by media and other blogs, because of having "general" conversations with certain people under the Polian reign, might want to think long and hard about who they report "facts". Interesting how those people who wanted Polian fired because of harassment to their friends, might end up getting their friends fired for just having "casual" conversations. Funny how those conversations can lead to misinformation or rumors. Wonder why Bill was the way he was about blogs and media? Not to knock on certain blogs, twitter or any new era media, but I hope Irsay does run a colts blog for "real" information. If you can stop the rumors before they start, it would be a benefit for all, team Irsay, Grigson, fans.
2 Like
The timing is very curious, headscratching really considering the Spagnuolo interview, but I´m quite happy about the news. Thanks for everything, Caldwell, the good, the bad and the ugly, but it´s now time for the Colts to try to improve that sector. This change was needed.
Trying to figure out what to take from this firing about Grigson...? Was it a bold move after he just met with Caldwell looking for a new GM? Was it simple because many thought Caldwell should be gone? What does this say about his mode of operation in the future, or does it even say anything?
One thing I know is I will be more interested in how he fills the positions than the Caldwell firing though.
1 Like
Not too broke up about Caldwell (though I had always prized our continuity the past 14 years), but I sure hope the next announcement involves the names Howard Mudd and Tom Moore and thre phrase "lifetime employment."
1 Like
@Bobman Metzelaars is doing a very good job considering how improved the run offense is, so I´m not ready at all to invoke your lifetime emplyment clause for Mudd. Tom Moore on the other hand would be a different matter assuming Peyton as our QB. Having our former OC back is completely irrealistic though.
1 Like
@Bobman The Philly O Line was a bit of a train wreck this year. In contrast the Colts seemed to improve. I'd rather have Metzelaars...
1 Like
Just curious... did irsay make it a contigency of being hired, that Grigson adopt Irsay's hairstyle and facial growth?
5 Like
Somehow I feel that this whole "rebuild" ends in a new Head Coach yelling something about PLAYOFFS!?? PLAYOFFS!?
@Peyton for President No. Grigson suggested in his press conference that he's not there yet with the assistants.
Chris Hagan of Fox 59: Caldwell sent assistants on vacation thinking they were all safe given the fact he was in on Spags interview. That led to incorrect reports.
@Kyle Rodriguez That's what I meant. The answer was clearer than I expected it would be though.
Just wondering, has anyone heard anything about Jim Tressel, I have not heard his name mentioned in anything, this includes college coaching and NFL positions, thanks.
Grigson seems a bit out of his depth in his first big PC. He obviously doesn't want to throw Caldwell under the bus but he doesn't know what else to say about why the man was fired.
1 Like
@WillyDuer Yup, I'm sure he will.
Ever hear Manning do a speaking gig? Pretty interesting. You can tell he's not a natural but he's crazy prepared with jokes and stories. It's like he considers it part of the franchise QB job and preps for public appearances the same way he preps for the field. And it's damn near as fun to watch.
2 Like
"Peyton will stay!"
"Peyton will go!"
"The Colts will trade the pick!"
"The Colts will draft Luck!"
Put this in your rumor pipe and smoke it. Shit just got real in Indy and *nobody* knows where it's gonna stop.
In Irsay we trust.
@pineapplecakes I should stand ready to catch a fainting cakes if Tressel is ever announced as his replacement?
