Colts Name Jeff Saturday as Interim Coach

The former Indianapolis center replaces Frank Reich for the rest of the season.

After firing head coach Frank Reich on Monday, the Colts are thinking outside the box to replace him. Owner Jim Irsay announced Indianapolis will name Jeff Saturday as the team’s head coach for the rest of the season.

Saturday spent 13 years with the Colts, including a dozen as the team’s starting center. Since then, Saturday has spent time as an ESPN analyst, while also serving as a consultant for the Colts. Additionally, he spent time as a high school head coach at Hebron Christian Academy in Dacula, Ga.

Irsay made the decision to bring in Saturday even though Indianapolis employs two former NFL head coaches on staff in defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and senior defensive assistant John Fox.

Additionally, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Colts don’t yet need to satisfy Rooney Rule requirements for the hire since Saturday is filling the role on an interim basis. The team will be required to interview at least two external minority candidates before it names a full-time head coach.

Reich had been responsible for calling offensive plays. With the team firing offensive coordinator Marcus Brady last week, Saturday now must find someone on staff to call plays on offense.

The Colts have started the season 3-5-1, and in recent weeks have benched their quarterback, fired their offensive coordinator and now fired their head coach. However, they are just two games out first place in the AFC South.

The Colts head to Las Vegas to play the Raiders on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET in what will be Saturday’s head coaching debut.

• Daily Cover: What Winning Means for Those in the Jets-Giants Orbit