Head coach Chuck Pagano was fired on Sunday as the Indianapolis Colts wrapped up the 2017 season with few bright spots.
Pagano led the Colts to four wins but Indianapolis finished with their worst record since 2011, when Peyton Manning was sidelined to undergo fusion surgery on his neck.
Pagano reportedly was told of the decision Saturday and informed the team prior to taking on the Houston Texans on Sunday that Week 17 would be the "last rodeo together."
The dramatic 2017 tailspin was complicated because the franchise went the entire season without quarterback Andrew Luck taking the field due to complications with his right shoulder. Luck never fully recovered from an operation on his throwing shoulder in January.
Pagano was retained in 2017 even after owner Jim Irsay and the Colts fired general manager Ryan Grigson and replaced him with Chris Ballard.
Ballard will lead the search for Pagano's replacement in January.
Two years into a four-year extension, Pagano spent six seasons with the Colts.
The 57-year-old has a 53-43 career record and previously worked as defensive co-ordinator for the Baltimore Ravens.
