WATERCOOLER CHAT: COLTS NAME PAGANO, GOODELL EXTENDS, LOVE ANOTHER 4 YEARS
FOOTBALL
In the NFL, the coaching carousel is in full swing and two more coaches look to be announced soon. The Indianapolis Colts named Chuck Pagano as their next head coach. Pagano looks to bring the intensity and defensive mindset to the Colts that he had as the defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens. The Colts dealt with a dreadful season without future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning. They will have the first pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, where many analysts speculate they will take the highly touted quarterback from Stanford, Andrew Luck. If that is the case, then look for the Colts to move Manning, who is coming off a major neck injury. The other coach that looks to be named very soon is Denver Broncos defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen, who will be named the head coach of the Oakland Raiders. After the death of owner Al Davis, the ownership decided to go with a new head coach.
Along with new coaches, Commissioner Roger Goodell has had his contract extended until the 2018 season. Over his tenure he has had to deal with a 4 ½ month long lockout, which ended in a 10-year work agreement. Goodell took over from long time commissioner Paul Tagliabue in 2006.
BASKETBALL
In the NBA, the Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to a deal with NBA All Star Kevin Love for another four years. The deal is worth around $60 million. The final year of the contract will be an option year for Love. The Timberwolves have given themselves a nice young core with Rubio and last year’s number two overall pick Derrick Williams. Love this year is averaging nearly 25 points and 14 rebounds with a half a block per game.
