McDaniels backs out on coaching Colts
Josh McDaniels backed out of a deal to become the Indianapolis Colts new coach, a decision that shocked the franchise hours after it announced his hiring.
The Colts confirmed McDaniels’ decision in a statement Tuesday night after reports emerged that the Patriots’ offensive coordinator had opted to stay in New England with coach Bill Belichick.
McDaniels, 41, had agreed to contract terms with the Colts to replace the fired Chuck Pagano. A news conference had been scheduled for Wednesday.
The team says McDaniels informed them Tuesday evening that he would not sign the deal.
“Although we are surprised and disappointed, we will resume our head coaching search immediately and find the right fit to lead our team and organization on and off the field,” the Colts said in the statement.
The Patriots and McDaniels’ agent, Bob LaMont, did not respond to requests for comment.
By spurning the Colts after they waited 22 days to hire him, McDaniels leaves the reeling franchise as the only one without a coach.
The move by McDaniels was reminiscent of his mentor, Belichick, who resigned as coach of the Jets with a handwritten note less than a day after he was hired in 2000.
Suspect had history of arrests: An immigrant who was living illegally in Indiana when he was arrested in a drunken-driving crash that killed an NFL player had a history of misdemeanor convictions and arrests, including two previous instances of driving under the influence, authorities said.
President Donald Trump drew added attention to the death of Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson on Twitter, calling the collision “disgraceful.” The president also prodded Democrats to work with him on illegal immigration and border security.
The collision also killed Jackson’s Uber driver, Jeffrey Monroe.
The man suspected of causing the collision, 37-year-old Manuel Orrego-Savala, had a 2005 conviction for driving under the influence in Redwood City, Calif. He also has numerous other misdemeanor convictions and arrests in California and Indiana, said Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Nicole Alberico.
In the 2005 case, he pleaded no contest to two separate drunken driving offenses and was given a brief jail sentence, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.
Orrego-Savala remained jailed in Indianapolis but had not been formally charged in the crash. Prosecutors said they were working with police on the investigation.
Butler denies misconduct: Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler said he didn’t miss a curfew or do anything off the field that would have hurt New England’s chances of winning the Super Bowl before he was benched for the game.
Butler said reports of misconduct off the field are “ridiculous.”
He said he visited with family every night while in Minneapolis. He added: “I never attended any concert, missed curfew, or participated in any of the ridiculous activities being reported. They are not only false, but hurtful to me and my family.”
Before the Super Bowl, Butler was on the field for 98% of the Patriots’ defensive snaps and started 17 of their 18 games. But he made it on the field for only one special teams play on Sunday as the Philadelphia Eagles racked up 538 yards of offense, including 374 yards passing, and won, 41-33. Belichick has not explained why Butler was benched.
Gronkowski’s house hit: Police said the home of Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was burglarized while he was away at the Super Bowl.
Foxborough Police Chief William Baker confirmed that his department is investigating a burglary at Gronkowski’s home.
Baker said “out of respect for Mr. Gronkowski’s privacy and because this is an active and dynamic criminal investigation we’re not going to be releasing any information right now about what was stolen and whether any suspects exist.”
But according to a Broadcastify.com recording of a call between responding officers and dispatch, a dispatcher says “multiple safes and possible guns” were taken.