Indianapolis Colts Hire Ravens Defensive Coordinator Chuck Pagano

The Indianapolis Colts today hired Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano to be their next head coach.  Pagano had spent three years as the Ravens secondary coach before taking over the entire defensive unit in 2011.   Under his direction, the Ravens ranked third in total defense in the NFL.

Owner Jim Irsay made good on his promise to wrap up the coaching search by this week and will introduce Pagano at a press conference tomorrow.   This is the second time that the Colts have gone with a defensive-minded head man, and the last one worked out pretty well (Tony Dungy).   We’ll see how this one goes.

One thing that is certain is that this hiring will do little to quell the Peyton Manning speculation that has been rampant in the first weeks of 2012.   Let the tea-leaf reading begin … or resume!