Former Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano joined the organization in the same year it drafted quarterback Andrew Luck first overall, so it’s fair to say the pair’s fates intertwined quite a bit during their NFL careers.
With Luck’s retirement, Pagano, now defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears, stopped to pay tribute to his longtime quarterback in a statement. In it, Pagano said Luck’s decision took “great courage,” and the ex-coach would “forever be a huge Andrew Luck fan.”
Pagano: “I will forever be a huge Andrew Luck fan.” pic.twitter.com/Acvd9WbH9m
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 25, 2019
Luck and Pagano were quite successful together, at least initially. They made the playoffs three times in their first three years together, which culminated in an AFC Championship appearance in 2014. Things went downhill after that, and Pagano was fired after the conclusion of the 2017 season, a year Luck missed due to injury.
It’s pretty safe to say that Pagano does not share Colts’ fans’ reaction to Luck’s retirement. Perhaps the fans will come around to his point of view.
