What Jeff Saturday is looking for in his next NFL coaching job
Jeff Saturday would like like to coach in the NFL again, but only under certain circumstances.
"The last interview I had with Indy, they ask you about your practice scheduling," Saturday said on Robert Griffin III's podcast this week. "One of my big issues is, I'm not going to be the guy who comes in at 5 in the morning and leaves at midnight. I want the coaches to see their families."
Some NFL coaches over the years have famously long hours during the season, including sleeping at team headquarters. That's not for Saturday, who noted that he leaned on former Indianapolis Colts coaches Jim Caldwell and Tony Dungy while he coached the Colts and interviewed for the full-time position.
"If we can't do it this way, I don't want to do it," he said. "I believe we're called to a much bigger purpose than just this game."
No rift between Robert Griffin III and Jeff Saturday
Griffin posted on social media in November 2022 that he disagreed with the Colts' decision to hire Saturday away from ESPN at the expense of assistants on staff at the time. That prompted discussion that a rift exists between the ESPN NFL analysts, but they say they are on great terms.
Griffin told Saturday his context for that post is that bringing someone in from outside the organization sets up the new person for failure and while potentially alienating the assistants on staff.
"I told (Jim) Irsay, 'I know I can get the locker room. … The coaches are what I'm worried about,'" Saturday said.
"I told Mr. Irsay, 'We're gonna go 0-8.' Mr. Irsay said, 'I need a Colt.'"
The Colts beat the Raiders in his first game, but lost their last seven. Saturday said he maintains great relationships with Colts leadership.
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Robert Griffin III, Jeff Saturday discuss Las Vegas Raiders
In recent weeks, the Raiders fired coach Josh McDaniels and named linebackers coach Antonio Pierce the interim coach. Saturday acknowledged a key difference in those situations.
"You felt like the players were ready for McDaniels to move on. That was not the same in Indy. They loved Frank (Reich)," Saturday said. "(In Las Vegas), that energy is real."
Las Vegas beat the New York Giants handily in the first game under Pierce.
"I hope A.P. wins every game," Saturday said. "(The Raiders) have a vested interest in treating this as an interview."
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Jeff Saturday, Robert Griffin III discuss Colts coaching situation
