Jan. 15
Marv Levy knows that Indianapolis Colts president Bill Polian knows. Now he would like an opportunity to let owner Jim Irsay know -- he is 76 years young, not old. And, yes, he would like to coach Irsay's team.
|
“ |
Physically, I am in great shape. Mentally, same way. I have the energy and ... I stay on top of the game. ” |
|
|
— Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy |
"I believe it might serve him (Irsay) well to sit down and talk to me, to find out what my motivation is and to (address) all the issues about my chronological age and just how alert I am," said Levy.
"Physically, I am in great shape. Mentally, same way. I have the energy and I am ready to coach."
Levy is a dark-horse candidate to replace Jim Mora as Colts coach because of his relationship with Polian, who hired Levy in Buffalo. Polian has had brief discussions with Levy, but ex-Bucs coach Tony Dungy now may be the leading candidate.
Levy's qualifications cannot be argued. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame last August based on being the only coach in NFL history to take a team (the Buffalo Bills) to four straight Super Bowls. He would keep the offensive staff intact and work with Polian to assemble a defensive staff that would be fundamentally sound and simple enough to allow young players to perform. Levy also excels in special teams, another weakness of the Colts.
Nevertheless, Irsay said that while he has "tremendous respect for guys like Marv Levy and Ted Marchibroda," he sounded somewhat reluctant to endorse Levy as his next coach.
| |
Marv Levy |
"If we could just meet, if we stirred up the coals, I think he would have a different view," said Levy. "But he has to be open for it to work."
Why coach again?
"Because it's a love of mine and I stay on top of the game," said Levy. "It would have to be the right situation, and I think the Colts have the right situation in that they are ready to win now. They have the talent in place at quarterback.
"Despite Peyton Manning's struggles this year, I still think he's the best in the league. They have an excellent group working there. Obviously, Bill and I have done it before. But, again, there would have to be genuine interest on (Irsay's) part."