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Fritz Pollard Alliance initiates inquiry into Colts’ hiring of Jeff Saturday
Fritz Pollard Alliance initiates inquiry into Colts' hiring of Jeff Saturday,In a statement, the Fritz Pollard Alliance announced it is looking into the Indianapolis Colts' decision to name former center Jeff Saturday their interim head coach.

Fritz Pollard Alliance initiates inquiry into Colts’ hiring of Jeff Saturday

The Fritz Pollard Alliance announced on Thursday it is looking into the Indianapolis Colts’ decision to name former center Jeff Saturday their interim head coach. 

“In light of the recent interim head coaching hire in Indianapolis, the FPA has initiated an inquiry with the NFL into whether this hiring process conformed with NFL Hiring Guidelines for naming an interim head coach,” that organization said in a statement shared by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. 

Per its website, the Fritz Pollard Alliance “exists to champion diversity in the National Football League through education and providing its members with resources that will help them succeed at every level of the game.” 

Colts owner Jim Irsay named Saturday interim coach after Irsay parted ways with head coach Frank Reich on Nov. 7. The decision was widely viewed as controversial because Saturday possessed no coaching experience at the pro or college levels and was working as an ESPN analyst at the time. However, the 47-year-old temporarily silenced critics when he guided the Colts to a win over the Las Vegas Raiders in his debut this past Sunday. 

ESPN’s Stephen Holder reports that NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy previously confirmed interim coach appointments are not subject to the Rooney Rule that requires clubs to interview a minimum of two minority candidates for permanent head-coaching jobs. Regardless of what happens over the second half of the season, the Colts will have to comply with the Rooney Rule before they name Reich’s true replacement this coming winter. 

“With Irsay already giving off vibes that Saturday will be his guy for 2023, Irsay could have a hard time persuading minority candidates to interview for the job,” Florio added in his story. Meanwhile, FPA director Rod Graves hadn’t yet responded to a message left by ESPN regarding Thursday’s development as of the late afternoon hours. 

Saturday will lead the 4-5-1 Colts into this Sunday’s home game against the 8-1 Philadelphia Eagles.