Chuck Pagano
Former NFL Head Coach
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Chuck Pagano is a former NFL head coach and assistant, part of a coaching career that spans 36 seasons in the NFL and college. He is best known for his tenure with the Indianapolis Colts, a team he took over after the franchise lost Peyton Manning to injury and went 2-14 in 2011. The Colts went 11-5 in his first year in charge, then won two straight AFC South titles.
Pagano started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at USC and Miami (Fla.) before making jumps nationwide. The NFL is where Pagano carved out his most notable reputation as the Baltimore Ravens secondary coach and defensive coordinator, parlaying his success into the head coaching job in Indy. With the Colts, he made the playoffs his first three seasons and had a winning percentage of .685.
He managed that despite being diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia in 2012. The team adapted the “ChuckStrong” motto and dedicated its season to the head coach during his treatment. Two dozen players and two cheerleaders shaved their heads in support of Pagano. Doctors later announced his cancer was in remission.
Pagano’s defenses are his legacy. While he coached the Ravens, his schemes helped Terrell Suggs become the 2011 Defensive Player of the Year. After leaving the Colts, Pagano made a stop with the Chicago Bears, where he helped Khalil Mack and Roquan Smith dominate.
Pagano grew up in Boulder, Colo., and attended Fairview High School. While at Fairview, he was a three-year letter winner and a two-year starter at safety. Pagano then attended the University of Wyoming and earned a degree in marketing.
Pagano and his wife have three children.
Chuck'S CONTRIBUTIONS
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Make the Call: Brawl in NOLA, Thriller in Vegas
In this week's edition of Make the Call, former NFL VP of Officiating Dean Blandino is…
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Bears vs Packers: Can the Packers Get Their First Win?
After the Green Bay Packers lost to the Minnesota Vikings in week one, they host…
By Chuck Pagano & Dirk Koetter
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Dolphins-Ravens Breakdown: Two 1-0 Teams Ready For a Slugfest
Both the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens ended up beating AFC East opponents rather easilyDolphins…
By Chuck Pagano & Dirk Koetter
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Buccaneers vs Saints: Can Tom Brady Beat the Saints?
When the New Orleans Saints host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, they'll go into…
By Chuck Pagano & Dirk Koetter
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How Do Cowboys Respond After Losing Dak Prescott?
The loss of Dak Prescott in Week 1 is a crushing blow to the Dallas…
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Buccaneers-Cowboys Breakdown: A High-Profile Week 1 Rematch
Tampa Bay at Dallas, this is a rematch from Week 1 of the 2021 season.…
By Chuck Pagano Former NFL Head Coach
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Raiders-Chargers Breakdown: The Division Race Begins
It's a division matchup this week, the Las Vegas Raiders at the Los Angeles Chargers.…
By Chuck Pagano Former NFL Head Coach
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Ravens-Jets Breakdown: Can the Jets Stop Lamar Jackson?
Heading into Week 1, there's been a lot of talk about the Baltimore Ravens, quarterback…
By Chuck Pagano Former NFL Head Coach
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Patriots-Dolphins Breakdown: Which Offense Will Answer Lingering Questions?
This is an early-season divisional game for both these both of these teams. New England is…
By Chuck Pagano Former NFL Head Coach
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Colts-Texans Breakdown: Indy Favored, but Don't Rule out Houston
Indianapolis at Houston is an interesting game in Week 1. I think all the pundits…
By Chuck Pagano Former NFL Head Coach