INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- The Indianapolis Colts fired coach Jim Mora Tuesdayafter finishing with a 6-10 record this past season.
Mora, choking back tears while addressing the media following Indianapolis' season-ending 29-10 win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday said he did not intend to resign.
"I will not quit, I want to coach here," Mora said in anger as his eyes welled with tears. "I should be the coach here. I'll just tell you that right now, I should be."
But after guiding the Colts to back-to-back playoff appearances in 1999 and 2000, Mora did not survive a disappointing 2001 campaign.
Blasting star quarterback Peyton Manning after a four-interception performance in a 40-21 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on November 25 did not help Mora's status.
"When you turn the ball over five times, four interceptions, you ain't going to beat anybody," Mora said after the game. "We've had so many interceptions returned for touchdowns, it's pitiful."
Manning admitted later in the week that he did not appreciate being "singled out" in the coach's tirade.
Colts president Bill Polian decided the Colts needed to go in another direction.
