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Indianapolis Colts GM Jim Irsay wishes he selected Frank Reich sooner

By The Sports Xchange
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy for the crowd at a Superbowl celebration rally on February 5, 2007 at the former RCA Dome in Indianapolis. File photo by Mark Cowan/UPI
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy for the crowd at a Superbowl celebration rally on February 5, 2007 at the former RCA Dome in Indianapolis. File photo by Mark Cowan/UPI | License Photo

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said he had a clear picture of his team's future after his first extensive conversation with Frank Reich.

That picture was in focus shortly after Josh McDaniels spurned the Colts to leave the team with many questions. Irsay found himself just a few - and simple ones, at that - after Indianapolis officially introduced Reich on Tuesday as the head coach.

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"I know you would think (this is) natural for me to say," Irsay said. "But the more I think about it, the more I thought, 'Jim, how come you were so stupid? How could you not have seen the clarity of this sooner?'"

The Colts followed up their 4-12 season with a six-week-long coaching search, ending a whirlwind process that took a stunning detour a week ago when McDaniels withdrew from an announced agreement to become the team's head coach.

That led the Colts to a revamped interview list, which included Reich. The 56-year-old was on the team's original list of candidates to replace former coach Chuck Pagano, but Reich didn't make the cut when the Colts targeted candidates to interview in early January.

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"The backup role has suited me well in my career," Reich joked, in reference to his playing career in the NFL.

Irsay called Reich "a perfect fit" for the franchise and predicted big things in the future under his direction.

"We feel very blessed," Irsay said. "Colts Nation should sleep well tonight and know going into this year we're in really good hands with our new head coach."

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