We’ve heard the question asked from a few different places: Should Colts coach Jim Caldwell be on the hot seat?
It’s a fair question, but it may be beside the point. There’s no chance Caldwell will lose his job.
“Jim’s done a really good job,” owner Jim Irsay old the Indianapolis Star. “[People] forget he was on the field less than a year ago while we were hoisting the AFC championship trophy in front of our fans.”
Caldwell’s game management skills failed his team on more than one occasion this year. Even Peyton Manning couldn’t hide his displeasure at the indefensible timeout called at the end of the loss to the Jets. Considering Caldwell doesn’t really run the offense or defense, what does he bring to the table?
“People express their opinion, which is great,” Irsay said. “As the owner, I’m the one who has to decide who measured up under tough circumstances, who did their job. Our guys did.”
Irsay is in a tough spot. No matter what the fans or some writers want, the Colts aren’t going to change the offensive or defensive systems that have been in place for so long. That limits the choices Irsay could make as a head coach.
It also limits Caldwell’s responsibilities, so he needs to dramatically improve his game management skills.