Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano said during his postgame press conference that he will meet with team owner Jim Irsay on Monday–notoriously known as “Black Monday” among coaching circles to discuss his future:
"“Mr. Irsay and I will get together tomorrow at some time and have a discussion and go from there,” said Pagano. “That’s what I know right now.”"
When asked particularly about his deteriorating relationship with general manager Ryan Grigson—which has been reported as “toxic”, Pagano did not get into specifics. Rather, he said his relationship with everyone in the organization is about winning football games and ultimately a championship:
"“The relationship with Ryan (Grigson),” replied Pagano. “My relationship with Jim (Irsay). My relationship with everybody in that building is, you know we’ve got one goal. We all know what that goal is. Everybody is doing and straining to do what they have to do to try to win football games and attain that goal.”"
This season, more than any other, Pagano has been particularly candid in his press conferences. Only this time around, one could seemingly sense that Pagano very well knows that this may be his last hurrah as Colts head coach:
"“I think once you have time to sit back and really look at everything and digest everything. I have no 0 regrets. I take no days for granted. I never have. I certainly now, I never do.”“I’m grateful for today. I’m grateful for this football team. I’m grateful for this opportunity that was given to me by Mr. Irsay.”"
Particularly, Pagano was grateful to Mr. Irsay taking a chance on him and his support, the city of Indianapolis, and its fans. Those are comments that typically aren’t spoken from a coach who is exactly confident in his return next season.
In short, it sounded more like a farewell address than a postgame recap:
"“I mean there was a time when I didn’t even know if I was going to be around, but he stood by me and he had my back throughout that whole thing,” said Pagano of Jim Irsay. “For that, I’m forever indebt to Mr. Irsay and his family.” “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love this job,” added Pagano. “I love Indianapolis. I love this community. I love the fans.”“I think back to 2012,” reminisced Pagano, when he was diagnosed with leukemia. “They didn’t even know me and the way they embraced me and my family and helped me through that journey. That’s Hoosier Hospitality at its finest. This is a great place and me and my wife are very grateful, and we’ve had a great four years here.”"
As for now, Pagano is only worried about today and celebrating an improbable victory against the Tennessee Titans–having won with two quarterbacks just signed off the street earlier last week.
Rightfully so too, as the Colts head coach has battled far more in life than simply on the football field. The Colts coach has always been just happy for today, as he’s admittedly fortunate to be still living and breathing.
For Pagano, with bad news likely on the horizon, tomorrow’s update with Irsay regarding his coaching future can simply wait:
"“We’re going to have a great time this afternoon, tonight, and then when tomorrow comes, we’ll deal with tomorrow,” concluded Pagano."