Colts fans start petition to stop Jeff Saturday from becoming HC

Jeff Saturday. John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Colts fans start petition to prevent Jim Irsay from hiring Jeff Saturday

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 1/30/23

Jeff Saturday has become one of the more polarizing sports figures in Indianapolis, so much so that Colts fans started a petition to encourage team owner Jim Irsay to not hire Saturday as the team’s permanent head coach.

The petition, which is hosted on change.org, has garnered 3,826 signatures in the four days it’s been active. With 2,500 signatures set as the initial objective on Jan. 26, it was promptly changed to 5,000 just 24 hours later after blowing past the initial benchmark.

“We as Colts fans will always love the memories of the SB XLI team; we love the former players and the people they've become, but we don't want Jeff Saturday as the head coach of this team going forward,” petition organizer Shawn Ward wrote. “Please hire someone with experience and save your fan base from revolting and losing interest.”

Sources: Jim Irsay’s No. 1 choice for HC remains Jeff Saturday, while others in the #Colts’ front office prefer different leading candidates. Saturday, I’m told, presented his staff choices during his 2nd interview on Wednesday. Irsay has not sat in on most interviews. @theScore https://t.co/lJr3YinQb4
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 26, 2023

Saturday, who posted a 1-7 record as Indy’s interim head coach this year despite having no previous head coaching experience, is among one of seven candidates reported to have second interviews with the Colts.

However, NFL insider Tom Pelissero recently stated on “The Rich Eisen Show” that he believes there’s little chance Saturday actually gets the job.

“Jim Irsay likes him a lot and wanted to see him get a fair shake through the interview process,” Pelissero said . “I would say, I would be surprised if Jeff Saturday ends up being the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. … You never say never, because again, Jim Irsay just has a high degree of belief in what Jeff Saturday can be, but do I anticipate Jeff Saturday being the coach? Do I believe he’s the frontrunner? I would say not as of now.”

In Indy, I’m told Jim Irsay still has desires to hire Jeff Saturday, but some who work w/ the owner or have his ear, while feeling Saturday is a great person—are not in favor of him as a HC, per source. We’ll see if the #Colts make it through the list of expected 2nd interviews.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) January 25, 2023