Irsay says Pagano's fate is not decided

Stephen Holder | IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano has no expectation of returning for another season, but owner Jim Irsay made an emphatic statement Thursday after a report said Pagano's fate had already been decided.

"As of today, no decision has been made with respect to any structural changes within the Colts organization for 2016 and beyond," Irsay said in a statement released by the Colts.

Pagano has no contractual agreement beyond this season and has been widely expected to be dismissed after Sunday's season finale (though the Colts do still have very slim playoff hopes). Irsay was responding to an ESPN report Thursday that said, citing sources, "the Colts do not plan to retain" Pagano after the season.

A source with direct knowledge confirmed to The Indianapolis Star that Pagano does not expect to be retained but that he has been told nothing about his future. The source also said there is no belief that achieving a playoff berth would be a factor in Pagano's continued employment with the team.

Pagano said this week that he has not had any recent communication with Irsay about his contract status, and he appears to be preparing for the inevitable. He has talked openly in recent weeks about his vulnerability but has stayed on message.

"Like I told you a long time ago, I'm going to be fine," Pagano said. "I've got one goal, one focus right now and that's the Tennessee Titans and that's getting this team ready to win another football game. And give ourselves a chance (at the playoffs) if the stars line up right. It's tough, all the adversity, obstacles we've faced this year and all the tests that these guys keep passing. We're going to find a way to try to win a football game and then if the stars line up right and we happen to just get in, then so be it and we'll make our run. We've got to win another football game and that's all I'm worried about."

Pagano is 40-23 (.635 winning percentage) in his four seasons, which includes the stretch in 2012 when he was absent because of leukemia treatments. That's the fourth-best mark among active NFL coaches.

But his inability to reach a deal on a new contract with the team, coupled with a deteriorated relationship with General Manager Ryan Grigson, has put him in a situation where his dismissal appears to be a foregone conclusion. There is growing sentiment Grigson will survive the coming changes, but that situation remains fluid.

As for Pagano, he sounds like a man ready to go down fighting.

"I will fight my a-- off to be the coach here," he said this week.

Follow Star reporter Stephen Holder on Twiter: @HolderStephen.