Pagano does NOT want to be HC again: Prioritizes role in Ravens, forgets the Colts.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Chuck Pagano has made his position clear: although he always wanted to return to coaching, he has no intention of returning to be a head coach. Pagano, 64, ended his four-year retirement at the end of January, when he was hired as the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens’ high school. After Thursday’s practice, Pagano insisted that he is focused on his job in Baltimore and nothing else.

“No sir,” he replied when asked if he had any desire to return as an NFL head coach. “Nobody has any idea until they sit in that seat.”
Chuck Pagano

Pagano was the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2012 to 2017, with a record of 56-46 (.549), including the playoffs. In six seasons, he led the Colts to two AFC South titles and three postseason berths, which included a loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship in 2014.

“Some of my most cherished memories and training moments were the first time I was here in Baltimore and just being a high school coach,” Pagano said. “[As a head coach], you get away from what you like to do, which is coaching the game. You have a lot of other things going on… But no, I’m good. I’ve had enough of [coaching as a head coach].”
Chuck Pagano

Pagano’s return to Baltimore actually began with a call to Harbaugh about another coach. In January, Pagano reached out about a potential candidate for Harbaugh’s defensive staff. Then, Harbaugh asked Pagano if he wanted to coach again, which led to a Zoom call and, ultimately, a meeting.

Chuck Pagano, quien terminó su retiro de cuatro años para convertirse en asistente de los Ravens, no quiere volver a ser entrenador en jefe de la NFL: “Te alejas de lo que te gusta hacer, y eso es entrenar el juego… Estoy bien. Ya he tenido suficiente”.

Pagano was a high school coach on Harbaugh’s first coaching staff in Baltimore in 2008. Three years later, Pagano became the Ravens’ defensive coordinator, who ranked No. 3 in yards and points allowed in 2011. On Thursday, Pagano felt it was obvious to return to the Ravens.

“This was probably the only opportunity that would get me off the couch,” Pagano said. “A lot of my friends back home said, ‘Are you crazy? Why would you go back to the grind?’. You can’t replicate this. You can’t replicate the grind.”
Chuck Pagano

Pagan thought about returning to training the day he retired.

“I never stopped thinking about coaching and the game,” Pagano said. “My sons, my wife, my daughters, they don’t know any better, but they all thought I retired too young.”
Chuck Pagano

Now, Pagano is back in Baltimore, where he can help Zach Orr, the Ravens’ second-year defensive coordinator. The Ravens allowed 4,150 passing yards in 2024, marking the second time in their history that they conceded more than 4,000 passing yards in a single season.

Pagano will oversee a talented secondary that includes two Pro Bowl players: safety Kyle Hamilton and cornerback Marlon Humphrey, and cornerback Nate Wiggins, a 2024 first-round pick.

Many players have already approached Pagano to ask him what they could work on. He gave each one a detailed answer, according to Orr.