Jim Caldwell endured everything thrown at him during his first two seasons as the Colts' coach ? replacing a friend, constant criticism, even fighting through a rash of injuries.
He couldn't survive the loss of Peyton Manning.
Caldwell became the Colts' third high-profile dismissal in an off-season purge, getting fired Tuesday after producing the franchise's worst record in two decades.
"This is obviously a big transitional time for us, and I know we're excited moving forward and it's hard when you say goodbyes to some people," team owner Jim Irsay said. "But it's part of the business."
In Indianapolis, it's been anything but business as usual.
The day after the Colts finished 2-14 and locked up the No. 1 overall draft pick, Irsay fired team vice chairman Bill Polian, the architect of the Colts' success, and his son, Chris, the hand-picked general manager.
A nine-day search prompted Irsay to hire 39-year-old Ryan Grigson as the replacement last Wednesday.
Irsay said he informed Caldwell of the decision shortly before the team confirmed the move. The search for a new coach is to begin immediately, though neither Irsay nor Grigson provided a timeline for the hiring.
"We just came to the conclusion that this is best moving forward for the franchise," Grigson said, referring to his first major decision in charge of an NFL team.
Caldwell's record at Indianapolis was mixed. After winning his first 14 games, an NFL record for a rookie head coach, and becoming only the fifth first-year coach to take his team to the Super Bowl, he did a masterful job guiding the injury-plagued Colts through a plague of injuries and back to the playoffs in 2010.
But those successes all came with Manning, who led the Colts to a league-record 115 regular-season wins in the previous decade and a record-tying nine straight playoff appearances. This season, without the franchise quarterback, the Colts lost their first 13 games before winning twice in five days.
Among players and coaches, Caldwell was universally well-liked. Outsiders often saw it another way. Fans frequently complained about Caldwell's game management, and some critics referred to Caldwell as a puppet of the Polians.
Caldwell ends his Colts' tenure 26-22 overall with one AFC title, two division crowns and one bleak season that has left him unemployed three years after replacing close friend Tony Dungy.
Jeff Fisher says he's ready for Rams
After a year off, Jeff Fisher says he is refreshed and ready to take on the challenge of coaching the St. Louis Rams.
He was introduced as the coach of the Rams on Tuesday after signing a five-year contract. Fisher reportedly will be paid $7 million per season but said his decision hinged on non-economic issues such as the franchise's plan moving forward, and the makeup of the coaching staff and front office.
He said the possibility of the Rams' relocating was not a major factor in his decision. Owner Stan Kroenke can move the franchise after the 2014 season if the Edward Jones Dome is not deemed among the top quarter of stadiums in the NFL.
Fisher will have a role in the hiring of a general manager, and said several times that decision making will be a collaborative effort.
The Rams did not confirm any assistant coaches, although it has been widely reported that New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has agreed to join Fisher in that role. Fisher said only that he had some "very good options."
Etc.
The Oakland Raiders have been given permission to interview Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg for their vacant coaching job. Mornhinweg has spent the last nine seasons as an offensive assistant with the Eagles. He was 5-27 in two seasons as Detroit's head coach in 2001-02. ... Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coach Kirby Wilson remained in critical condition with burns on more than 45% of his body. The team released a statement from Wilson's family on Tuesday saying the 50-year-old also suffered a smoke inhalation injury during the Jan. 6 fire at his townhouse in a northern Pittsburgh suburb. ... Denver Broncos tailback Willis McGahee and left tackle Ryan Clady have been added to the AFC's Pro Bowl roster. McGahee replaces injured Houston running back Arian Foster and Clady replaces injured Miami tackle Jake Long. ... The Atlanta Falcons hired former San Francisco coach Mike Nolan as their defensive coordinator, hoping he can toughen up a unit that has rarely ranked among the NFL elite. Nolan spent the last two seasons as Miami's defensive coordinator. Prior to that, he served four years as the 49ers head coach. ... A person familiar with the meeting says former St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo has agreed to interview with the Saints on Wednesday for the club's vacant defensive coordinator job. Spagnuolo was head coach in St. Louis the last three seasons and was fired this month after going 10-38 with the Rams. ... Mike Martz said he is retiring from coaching. The NFL Network first reported his decision this week and Martz told the Chicago Sun-Times, "It's time." The architect of "The Greatest Show on Turf" as offensive coordinator and head coach of the Rams, Martz spent the last two seasons as the Chicago Bears' offensive coordinator. He had an expiring contract and left after what were described as philosophical differences. ... The Bears interviewed Jimmy Raye, the San Diego Chargers' director of player personnel, about their open general manager job.
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