After battling leukemia and returning to the sidelines last weekend, Colts head coach, and former Ravens defensive coordinator, Chuck Pagano took time out for some Q&A with Steve Serby before facing his former team in today’s wild-card round.
Q: How would you describe what the last week, two weeks, have been like for you?
A: Overwhelming … amazing … just humbling. Just to be able … we had a date targeted — but you’re never guaranteed anything — a long time ago, and to be able to reach that goal and to get back and rejoin my team and to be able to get back and do what you love doing, is very humbling. What a blessing!
Q: What was the lowest low point?
A: Probably when I got the bloodwork done, and they said, “You gotta take a ride to the [IU] Simon [Cancer] Center, and see another doctor there.” Sitting with Dr. [Larry] Cripe and getting the diagnosis I got was like getting hit in the head with a baseball bat. I’m not the only one who will go through it. You have some dark days and dark moments going through chemo and things like that. We all think we’re invincible, and it’s not ever gonna happen to us. That next minute there, hearing you’ve got a form of leukemia, that was probably the toughest news any one of us could ever get.
Q: Was your wife with you at that moment?
A: Tina was there. You get the diagnosis that’s the last thing you expected, and you share a moment there … and then it’s like, OK, reality sets in, and you say, “OK, what’s the game plan, Doc? What do I gotta do to get better?”
Q: What did Tina tell you then and there?
A: She’s a very strong woman … strong-minded. She just said, “Everything’s gonna be fine. You’re gonna beat this. You’re a lot stronger than you think you are.”
Q: Did you ever go through a “Why me?” phase?
A: That’s human nature. But you only have about two minutes to really go there, the “Why me?” type of deal. You sit there and say, “OK, why would He put us here in Indianapolis and have this great opportunity?” and “Why would this happen?” For a couple of seconds you ask that question. Then reality kicks in and you just say, “OK, we got a little battle on our hands, give me the game plan, tell me what it’s gonna take, how long am I gonna be in here?” and you move on.
Q: How did your parents react when they found out?
A: I know if it was one of my [three] daughters, I’d do anything in the world to trade places with them, and I’m sure they felt the same way.
Q: Do you feel as if you’re an inspiration to others battling whatever it is they’re battling?
A: I got so many inspiring letters and emails from other people who reached out and were so kind to share their stories, people still fighting a certain disease. Do I look at myself in that regard? What I’d like to do, if I can do something for all those people that shared their stories with me and were so supportive with me throughout the whole ordeal. … It’s kind of my turn to serve and give back. If I can encourage and get somebody to get through what they’re dealing with, their set of circumstances, that’s the right thing to do.
Q: You mean hospital visits, for example?
A: I’ve got a job to do here and family and all the other things. It’s just a little more responsibility, but it’s something that I want to do.
Q: How close to 100 percent physically are you?
A: I’m real close. I feel great. I’m getting stronger every day.
Q: If a team takes on the personality of its head coach, what would the personality of the Colts be?
A: This team has no quit. If there’s anything that inspired me through this, along with people in our organization and this city, was this team fights and competes throughout this season and comes back and does things everybody said they couldn’t do. This team won’t quit. They’ll fight to the end, and they will find a way no matter what the odds or circumstances are to come out on top.
Q: When did you first think about a coaching career?
A: I grew up in a football family, on the sideline. I was a waterboy. It was kinda something I was around my whole life. When I graduated from college, it seemed like the natural progression for me.
Q: Was it ever your dream to play in the NFL?
A: That was dead and gone after my Pro Day when I ran my 40 when I broke the tape (chuckle). I looked back and all the scouts were shaking their heads. That’s when I got serious about my academics. That’s where my dream ended of playing in the NFL.
Q: You were a strong safety?
A: I was a box safety. Keep him out of coverage, don’t let him play deep, let him play the run.
Q: So no one confused you with Ed Reed?
A: No. There’s never been any comparison.
Q: Biggest influences?
A: I had an opportunity to watch my dad coach, obviously that would be one. I’ve been around so many great coaches. … The first guy I worked for, Ted Tollner, my first coaching job as GA (graduate assistant) … I had an opportunity to be around Jimmy Johnson as a GA. … The list goes on and on. … Butch Davis … Al Davis. … Being around Mr. Davis was an unbelievable experience for me. I’ve been blessed.
Q: How would you sum up Al Davis?
A: He’s the epitome of what the NFL is all about. He is the NFL, to me. He did it all. … Nobody knew personnel like this. Nobody knew people like this. Nobody was more driven than Mr. Davis. Nobody had more passion for his team, or for winning. He was second to none.
Q: Jimmy Johnson?
A: Just an incredible coach and a great man and a great person. He had a great eye for talent. Everybody would be taking Parade All-Americans, and he would recruit the Russell Marylands of the world that nobody wanted. It’s hard to find those guys and turn them into great players.
Q: Other football coaches you’ve admired?
A: We’ve had some good battles with Bill Belichick. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Coach Belichick. … Bill Parcells. … You can go on and on. When I was in Baltimore, we had some great battles with Pittsburgh, Mike Tomlin and Bill Cowher before him. … Jon Gruden.
Q: How would you describe your motivational style?
A: I don’t know if I really have a style per se. I’ve always just tried to treat people with respect, build relationships with players and coaches … build a trust. And just do everything that I possibly could to help them and their families, whatever I could do. I don’t motivate by fear and things like that. I think I’ve always just tried to build people up and try to help them achieve everything they probably thought they could achieve.
Q: How good of a dancer are you?
A: You probably saw — not very good. I haven’t heard from “Dancing With the Stars.” My wife thinks I’m very good. Other than that, I haven’t gotten any rave reviews. It doesn’t matter, I enjoy it. It’s so hard to win a football game at this level. And it’s hard to appreciate the sacrifices these coaches and these players make to get there. And then to have the opportunity to finish the way we finished, and get in the locker room and just see a group of coaches and men together, to be able to celebrate a victory like that … it’s a great accomplishment. It doesn’t really matter how good you dance at the end.
Q: How did you propose to your wife?
A: You’ll never believe it — over the telephone. I went to East Carolina and [she] visited me for spring break. I put her on a plane and called her as soon as she got home — “You want to get married?” I had to call her dad for permission the next day and try to do the right thing.
Q: How did that call go?
A: It went dead silent for a second. The fact we had only dated a couple of months, and I left town and took another job. He was a little guarded, like any dad. He wasn’t jumping through the phone.
Q: Three dinner guests?
A: Vince Lombardi … (chuckle) … These are things a football coach getting ready for the biggest game of his life as a first-time head coach, you’re not thinking about. You caught me off guard.
Q: OK, we’ll make it one dinner guest. Why Lombardi?
A: I just loved and respected what he did as a football coach. His accomplishments are unprecedented.
Q: Who would you want to play you in the movie?
A: (Chuckle) I just got a text from somebody saying if they do make a movie, make sure Brad Pitt plays you.
Q: Who would you pick?
A: Bruce Willis. I liked all his “Die Hard” movies.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: “Braveheart.”
Q: Favorite actress.
A: My wife’s sitting next to me, I probably shouldn’t say it (chuckle).
Q: How high is the ceiling for Andrew Luck?
A: I think the sky’s the limit for him. He’s obviously a talented, talented, football player. Football IQ off the charts, all those things. He’s gonna do nothing but get better and better and better as he goes. He’s gonna play 12, 14 years in this league. He’s gonna be a league MVP a couple of times over. I’d be shocked if he didn’t win two or three trophies.
Q: This game against the Ravens today won’t be too big for him, will it?
A: Not at all. He’s just cool as a cucumber. When things start to get heated and the pressure’s on, that’s when he’s at his best. His blood pressure seems to drop and he’s unflappable.
Q: Your emotions on the sidelines going back to Baltimore?
A: It’s a great organization, run by great people. I had a lot of great relationships with players. … It comes down to we got a football game to play, and once the ball’s kicked off, it’s the same thing, you focus on winning a football game. All this other stuff is thrown out the window.
Q: What will be Ray Lewis’ legacy?
A: First-ballot Hall of Famer. The best ever to play the game at his position, and a great human being that served the team and the organization he played for and the city he lived in seocnd to none.
Q: Do you have a message for anyone in America who has followed your story?
A: Thank you. Thank you from me and my family. All the support has been an inspiration to battle, to fight and to go on. It’s a reason to win, and to overcome.