Colts name Jeff Saturday as head coach despite having no college or pro coaching experience

The GIST: The Indianapolis Colts shocked the NFL world with Monday’s announcement that former Colts center turned ESPN analyst Jeff Saturday would replace fired head coach Frank Reich…despite Saturday having no college or pro coaching experience. Interesting.

The details: Saturday excelled as a player — notably winning a Super Bowl with Indy and making five Pro Bowl squads — but his only prior coaching experience comes at the high school level.

• The hiring was so surprising that even Saturday asked Colts owner Jim Irsay, “Why am I a candidate for this?” We’re wondering the same thing.

Zooming out: The head-scratching choice also resurfaced questions related to the league’s Rooney Rule, which mandates teams interview at least two external minority candidates for open roles.

• While the rule does not apply to interim coaches and Irsay says the Colts will meet the requirements come the offseason, Saturday, who is white and well-connected, receiving the job has been seen as a slap in the face to Black coaches.

• It’s also particularly insulting to the assistant coaches already on Indy’s staff, such as former Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne, who boast years of NFL coaching experience. The old boys club strikes again.