Jan. 13, 2009

Jim Caldwell has been named head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, the club announced today.

Caldwell, the 17th head coach in franchise history, assumes field leadership of the franchise after serving seven prior seasons with the club under Tony Dungy. Caldwell was elevated to associate head coach on January 21, 2008. He spent his first three seasons as quarterbacks coach before being promoted to assistant head coach prior to the 2005 season.

"I am pleased to announce Jim Caldwell as head coach," said Colts Owner and C.E.O Jim Irsay. "Jim has been a tremendous asset to our organization during his tenure, and today's announcement is a fitting move for his progression through our coaching ranks. Jim has been a valuable component to the many successes we have enjoyed on the field over the past seven years, and he is a person of integrity who will represent the team in a most exemplary manner. His talents and character have been on display here since 2002, and I know I join all Colts fans in welcoming him as our head coach."

Caldwell joined the Colts after serving under Dungy as quarterbacks coach in 2001 at Tampa Bay. Caldwell was head coach at Wake Forest from 1993-2000. In 1999, he directed the school to its first winning season and bowl game since 1992. His Wake Forest squad topped Arizona State in the Aloha Bowl, 23-3. The school ranked among the nation's top 25 passing offenses four times during his tenure, including 10th nationally in 1995.

Caldwell served as an assistant coach at Southern Illinois (1978-80), Northwestern (1981), Colorado (1982-84), Louisville (1985) and Penn State (1986-92). Caldwell joined Penn State as wide receivers coach. He then coached quarterbacks the following season and added passing game coordinator responsibilities in 1988. At Penn State, Caldwell tutored quarterback Kerry Collins, who went on to win the Davey O'Brien Award as the nation's top college quarterback and the Maxwell Award as the nation's most outstanding player. Caldwell has coached in six bowl games and won a national championship with Penn State in 1986.

In addition to serving on Joe Paterno's staff that won a national championship, Caldwell tutored under three other coaches who won collegiate titles (Rey Dempsey, Southern Illinois; Bill McCartney, Colorado; Howard Schnellenberger, Louisville).

Caldwell was a four-year starter as a defensive back at Iowa and worked as a graduate assistant for the Hawkeyes in 1977. He holds a bachelor's degree from Iowa.

Caldwell was born on January 16, 1955 in Beloit, Wis. He and his wife, Cheryl, have four children: Jimmy, Jermaine, Jared and Natalie.

WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT JIM CALDWELL

Colts President Bill Polian
"You are getting a guy who is an accomplished football coach. He isn't Tony Dungy Lite. He's going to be Jim Caldwell. He is an accomplished football coach. He has worked under some wonderful people. He has developed a strong set of values in his own rite in terms of how he wants this program and this football team to operate. He's very firm. He's very forthright. He's very softspoken, but don't mistake that for lack of steel in his spine. He has plenty of that."

Former Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy
"I think this, and I'm not going to speak for Jim Irsay, but my personal opinion, if Jim Irsay was looking for a coach and interviewed all these guys that I'm seeing be interviewed, he would interview Jim Caldwell and say, `That's the best guy out there.' The fact that Jim's been here for seven years, knows our organization inside out, has the respect of our players and our coaches, there's no question in my mind he's the best guy for this job. He is ready, he's more than ready.

He's going to do a great job, and it's going to be Jim Caldwell's team. He's not going to try to do it like I did it. He is, I'm sure, going to be like I was, he's worked for some great people--he's worked for Joe Paterno--and a lot of coaches that he has taken something from. He's going to put his stamp on this team and they're going to continue to win."

Colts Quarterback Peyton Manning
"He's been very influential on me. Very detail-oriented. Very disciplined. He's really helped me as a quarterback. He deserves the opportunities, and the players will play hard for him."

Colts Wide Receiver Reggie Wayne
"With Jim at the controls, I feel we won't miss a beat. Thing is though ultimately, we as players have to do our thing to ensure us continuing our performances and maintaining that focus for the ultimate goal."

Penn State Head Coach Joe Paterno
"Jim Caldwell was one of the best assistant coaches I've ever had at Penn State. I thought he did a great job as the head coach at Wake Forest,and Jim will do a great job as head coach of the Colts."

Tennessee Titans/Former Penn State Quarterback Kerry Collins
"I was very fortunate to spend some of my time at Penn State with Jim. I know he's going to make a successful head coach for the Colts. What stands out about him is his professionalism as well as the fact that he is so personable."