The Indianapolis Colts parted ways with offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton Tuesday and replaced him with associate head coach Rob Chudzinski.
In the move’s aftermath, it’s been speculated that before being overruled by general manager Ryan Grigson, Chudzinski was head coach Chuck Pagano‘s first choice as offensive coordinator all along. That is, after Bruce Arians left for the Arizona Cardinals head coaching vacancy in early 2013.
However, that would be impossible.
The Cleveland Browns named Chudzinski their head coach on January 11, 2013, while Arians left his Colts coordinator position to become the Cardinals head coach on January 17, 2013–6 days later.
Immediately following Arians’ departure, Hamilton was hired as Colts offensive coordinator on January 18, 2013–just a day later.
At the time, how could the Colts have hired a candidate, who was never actually ever on the table?
Sep 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay (left) and general manager Ryan Grigson react during the game against the New York Jets at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Jets defeated the Colts 20-7. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
More than likely, Pagano wanted Chudzinski to replace Hamilton as the Colts offensive coordinator following the 2013 season–after Chudzinski had been fired by the Browns.
However, that would’ve been 3 offensive coordinators in his first 3 seasons for young quarterback Andrew Luck. Not only is that a failed recipe of success for a young quarterback’s development, but it destroys offensive continuity all together.
After the 2013 season, the Colts were T-14th in total points per game at 24.4 ppg, and 15th in total yards per game with 341.0 total yards per game under Hamilton. Not overwhelming marks by any means, but certainly not fireable offenses for a rookie offensive coordinator led by an incredibly talented, yet very young 2nd year quarterback–as well as other young receivers.
Last year, Hamilton’s offense was 6th in total points per game at 28.6 ppg, and 3rd in total yards per game at 406.6 ypg–showing significant improvement as one of the league’s most prolific offenses. Simply put, there was no legitimate reason to replace him, as he was among of the hottest head coaching candidates in football.
With a losing record, there’s plenty of blame to go around right now for the Colts and rightfully so. However, that “Chudzinksi was Pagano’s guy all along” is neither a realistic nor fair criticism based on the actual facts at hand.