Following the Indianapolis Colts’ surprising loss to the previously two-win New York Giants on Sunday, which eliminated the Colts from NFL postseason contention, ESPN’s Pat McAfee went off on the team’s performance under head coach Shane Steichen.
McAfee spent his entire eight-year NFL career with the Colts and still calls Indianapolis home. He also has season tickets for the team.
However, McAfee says he’s “not renewing” his tickets following this season’s terrible results from a club capable of winning the AFC South.
In addition, McAfee identified various issues with this year’s Colts team. One of the difficulties, according to McAfee, is that athletes are frequently late for meetings.
While McAfee did not mention Steichen by name, it is difficult not to blame the head coach for many of the difficulties listed. If players are late for meetings and there is a “loser attitude radiating” throughout the team, the coach is responsible.
The Colts beat reporter Bob Kravitz questioned Steichen directly on McAfee’s claim that players are frequently late for meetings.
Steichen not only did not dispute the claim, but he also provided possibly the worst response an NFL coach could offer in that situation.
“Not everyone is going to be on time, every time,” Steichen said.
Wait, what?
Steichen went on to say that the team is accountable, but it’s difficult to see where that comes from when punctuality isn’t even expected by the head coach.
Being on time is such a little matter that it should be the very minimum expected of an NFL head coach. The fact that Steichen appears to dismiss it does not bode well for his future as a head coach.
Pat McAfee has a lot of authority in Indianapolis, so it’s a poor indication for Steichen that he publicly criticized the team’s culture on Sunday.
It may not be entirely Steichen’s fault – choosing Anthony Richardson as the franchise quarterback only to discover that he is willing to sub out of important game scenarios because he is “tired” appears poor in retrospect – but winning culture begins with the head coach.
Ask Andy Reid, Mike Tomlin, or one of the Harbaugh brothers about it. They will tell you that responsibility and culture start with them. Steichen appears to be willing to give the players influence over the culture, which isn’t working right now.
Changes are likely to occur in Indianapolis. We’ll have to wait and see what that looks like.
