Page 19 - ARUBA TODAY

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SPORTS Thursday 8 February 2018
Josh McDaniels backs out of deal to become Colts coach

By MICHAEL MAROT announced he was return-
AP Sports Writer ing to the college ranks be-
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Josh fore the Colts had settled
McDaniels has backed on McDaniels, who at age
out of a deal to become 41 is considered one of the
the Indianapolis' Colts new game's best young minds.
coach, a decision that He's been considered
shocked the franchise a top-tier head coach-
hours after it announced ing candidate for several
his hiring. years even though his only
The Colts confirmed Mc- other coaching stint with
Daniels' decision in a state- Denver ended badly. He
ment Tuesday night after went 8-8 with the Broncos
reports emerged that the in 2009 and 3-9 in 2010 be-
Patriots' offensive coordi- fore he was fired with three
nator had opted to stay in games left in the season.
New England with coach He worked with the St. Louis
Bill Belichick. Rams in 2011 before return-
McDaniels had agreed to ing to New England in 2012, In this Jan. 21, 2018, file photo, New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels watch-
contract terms with the where he has been the of- es from the sideline during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the
Colts to replace the fired fensive coordinator ever Jacksonville Jaguars in Foxborough, Mass.
Chuck Pagano, and a news since. Associated Press
conference had been And turning down his sec-
scheduled for Wednesday ond chance, after agree-
at Lucas Oil Stadium. ing to a deal with Indy, a new coach in February. didn’t go over well. true to our commitments.
Just a few hours later, the could make other teams In Indianapolis, where the The City of Noblesville, a Noblesville street crews will
Colts said McDaniels in- outside of New England fan base already loathed northern suburb of Indy, be out tonight once winter
formed them he would not more hesitant to hire Mc- the Patriots, McDaniels’ put this on Twitter: “Unlike weather hits you can ‘do
sign the deal. Daniels. His decision will sudden change of heart Josh McDaniels, we stay your job’ tomorrow.”q
"Although we are surprised also have ramifications for
and disappointed, we will the coaches who were set
resume our head coaching to join his staff.
search immediately and It's unusual but not unprec-
find the right fit to lead our edented in league his-
team and organization on tory for a deal with a new
and off the field," the Colts coach to fall through at
said in the statement. the last minute. McDaniels'
The Patriots and McDaniels' move was eerily reminis-
agent, Bob LaMonte, did cent of his mentor, Belich-
not immediately respond ick, who resigned as coach
to requests for comment. of the Jets with a handwrit-
"I'm speechless," former ten note less than a day af-
Colts receiver Reggie ter he was hired in 2000.
Wayne told NFL Network. Although McDaniels never
"I've talked with people in signed his contract with
the Colts organization and Indianapolis, his stint was
they feel like they've been even shorter. The team an-
hoodwinked." nounced his hiring on its
It's also not clear how the Twitter account late Tues-
Colts will proceed from day morning. Hours later,
here. the Colts had deleted the
By spurning Indy after it tweet and replaced it with
waited 22 days for the the statement about his
playoffs to end, McDaniels withdrawal.
leaves the reeling franchise Pagano was fired Dec. 31
as the only one without a after the team finished 4-12
coach — in early February. in a season without injured
New England's defensive quarterback Andrew Luck.
coordinator, Matt Patricia, Within days of Pagano’s
left Belichick's staff a day ouster, Colts general man-
after the Patriots' Super ager Chris Ballard inter-
Bowl loss to become coach viewed McDaniels during
of the Detroit Lions. the Patriots’ postseason
Indy had interviewed sev- bye week. Two weeks later,
eral candidates for the job, reports indicated the deal
including two that were was all but finished and po-
hired by other teams — tential suitors, like the New
Matt Nagy went to Chica- York Giants, started hiring
go and Mike Vrabel to Ten- other coaches.
nessee. Another potential Now the Colts find them-
candidate, Baylor coach selves in perhaps the tough-
Matt Rhule, had already est position of all — finding