The Indianapolis Colts have fired running backs coach Gene Huey.
Sources report and WTHR has confirmed that the longest tenured coach with the Colts has been fired
Huey joined the Colts in 1992, and coach such luminaries as Marshall Faulk, Edgerrin James and Joseph Addai.
The Colts were 29th in rushing in 2010 as injuries decimated the squad. Addai, Mike Hart and Donald Brown all missed time due to injuries. The weak year continued a trend for the Colts who ranked 32nd in rushing in 2009, and 31st in 2008. As a team, the Colts have not averaged more than 4.0 yards a carry since 2006.
Five different backs (Addai, Brown, Hart, Javarris James, and Dominic Rhodes) all had at least 35 carries on the season. This is the first time since the 1984 Colts that five different players carried the ball so often in Indianapolis. The ’84 team finished 4-12.
During Huey’s tenure, Indianapolis running backs have been asked to be duel threats as both receivers and rushers dating back to Anthony Johnson who posted 500 yards rushing and receiving in 1992, and continuing on through Faulk, James and Addai.
It is unclear at this time whether Huey will be the only Colts coach to be dismissed, but it seems clear the Colts are unhappy with the direction of the running offense.
UPDATE: Here is the official press release:
The Indianapolis Colts will not retain the services of Running Backs Coach Gene Huey, the club announced today.
Huey had served in that capacity for Indianapolis since 1992.
“I thank Gene Huey for the work he has done for the club for many seasons,” Head Coach Jim Caldwell said. “During his time, Gene played a key role with many players both on and off the field, and he was a part of coaching staffs that helped create a very special time in franchise history. I thank him for his contributions and wish him continued success.”
Huey, a native of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, joined the Colts from Ohio State, and he served other collegiate positions at Arizona State, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming, his alma mater.
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