The Indianapolis Colts dismissed head coach Jim Caldwell on Tuesday after only 3 seasons at the helm and 10 seasons with the team.
“It was a difficult decision. I think that it was based on the feeling that this was a direction the franchise needed to go, and I wanted to make sure that we took all the time we needed to make sure that it was the right decision,” Colts owner and CEO Jim Irsay said on the team’s website.
The Colts finished the season 2-14, including a 13-game skid to open the season. The Colts were without their quarterback and leader, Peyton Manning, who did not play after having neck surgery in the offseason.
With a healthy Manning, Caldwell led the Colts to a Super Bowl in 2009 and a division title in 2010.
The Colts will get the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft in April, with Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck the prime target. Indianapolis will have to make a decision whether to keep their franchise quarterback or move on with Luck and begin rebuilding their team.
The Colts made have several recent changes, including firing Vice Chairman Bill Polian and general manager and Vice President Chris Polian on Jan. 2.
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