Zak Keefer

zak.keefer@indystar.com

Not 48 hours after signing a four-year extension to remain with the Indianapolis Colts, coach Chuck Pagano is revamping his staff.

The team announced six assistant coaches were fired on Wednesday, headlined by defensive coordinator Greg Manusky. Among those also let go: running backs coach Charlie Williams, safeties coach Roy Anderson, secondary coach Mike Gillhamer, tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts and head strength and conditioning coach Roger Marandino.

The moves Wednesday indicate Pagano is intent on retaining offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski and quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen. That decision would come in concert with owner Jim Irsay’s comments late Monday night, when he repeatedly stressed the desire for continuity in his organization. Star quarterback Andrew Luck has already played under three offensive coordinators during his four-year career in Indianapolis — firing Chudzinski would mean a fourth.

It appears, for now, Chud will stay. As will Christensen, the only coaching holdover from the Tony Dungy and Jim Caldwell eras. Luck is especially close with Christensen.

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Pagano hinted Monday that he was pleased with the job Chudzinski did under difficult circumstances this season. He took over for Pep Hamilton in early November, worked with five different quarterbacks the rest of the way and helped the Colts somehow get to 8-8.

“(We) make a change (at offensive coordinator) and go beat an undefeated Denver team with our starting quarterback,” Pagano said. "I think everybody saw a glimpse of what could be the vision we all had and where this team could go.”

Now it looks like Chudzinski will get a full offseason to implement his own offense. And, heading into 2016, work with a healthy Andrew Luck.

Manusky, who previously held the same title in San Diego and San Francisco, guided an inconsistent unit throughout his four seasons in Indianapolis. Under Pagano’s guidance, the Colts switched from a 4-3 scheme to the 3-4 in 2012 and almost entirely rebuilt that side of the ball. Robert Mathis, who went from a defensive end to a rush linebacker, is the only defensive holdover currently on the Colts’ roster.

Manusky’s unit was mediocre in 2015. The case against his return starts with the repeated blowouts the Colts have suffered in the past few seasons. All told, this team has lost six games by 30 points or more, and in several of those, the defense was routed. The Colts yielded back-to-back games of 45 points and 51 points to Pittsburgh and Jacksonville this December.

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He also oversaw the development of Vontae Davis into a Pro Bowler in 2014 and Mathis’ 19-5-sack season in 2013. Additionally, linebacker D’Qwell Jackson and safety Mike Adams, two NFL veterans without a Pro Bowl on their resume, both earned their first trip last season.

Williams has been with the Colts since 2012 and spent his first three seasons here as the wide receivers coach before switching to running backs this fall. Roberts, a former University of Miami standout and Dallas Cowboy, also arrived in 2012 and was tasked with grooming two rookie tight ends: Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen. Together, in 2014, the pair became the first tight end duo in NFL history to each catch eight or more touchdowns in a season.

But this year, plagued by a number of factors, the tight ends — especially Allen — were hardly a factor in the offense.

Call Star reporter Zak Keefer at (317) 444-6134 and follow him on Twitter: @zkeefer.