5 Reasons Indianapolis Colts shouldn’t fire Chuck Pagano
By Phil Naegely
![Sep 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano coaches on the sidelines against the New York Jets at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports Sep 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano coaches on the sidelines against the New York Jets at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/129002a66c7a7a71fcc47e83f33f0609a67c2433253e6cd4fef8fdb87a559250.jpg)
4. First Disappointing Season
Chuck Pagano is not a habitual loser. In his first season in Indy he beat cancer, came back to the team in December, and coached the Colts in the playoffs. They lost in AFC Wild Card round against the Baltimore Ravens. The following season in 2013 he led the Colts to the Divisional round, and in 2014 fell in the AFC Championship Game. In both those games the Colts lost to the New England Patriots.
For three-straight years, Pagano went 11-5. This year they currently sit 6-7 and if they win out would finish 9-7. A coach who finishes 9-7 shouldn’t be fired. Furthermore, this is Pagano’s first season as the Colts HC that can truly be defined as disappointing. It’s an off year for sure, but Pagano can turn it around with a successful 2016 NFL Draft and time to rebuild a struggling team.
It’s not like Pagano is facing his second or third-straight losing team as head coach. There shouldn’t be any questions over Pagano’s status. No one else could have done as well as he did in his first three years. Sure, they didn’t reach the Super Bowl, but it was still successful. If Harbaugh isn’t being fired by the Ravens for their mediocre year in 2015, Pagano shouldn’t be either.
Next: 3. Being healthy is key