OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Chuck Pagano made a transparent distinction Thursday: He all the time wished to return to teaching, however he by no means desires to be a head coach once more.
Pagano, 64, ended his four-year retirement in late January, when he was employed because the Baltimore Ravens’ senior secondary coach. After Thursday’s follow, Pagano insisted he’s targeted on his job in Baltimore and nothing else.
“No, sir,” he mentioned when requested if he desires to be an NFL head coach once more. “No person has any thought till you sit in that seat.”
Pagano was the Indianapolis Colts’ head coach from 2012 to 2017, compiling a 56-46 file (.549), together with the playoffs. In six seasons, he guided the Colts to 2 AFC South titles and three postseason berths, which included a loss to the New England Patriots within the AFC Championship Sport in 2014.
“A few of my fondest reminiscences and training moments have been the primary time I used to be right here [in Baltimore] and simply being a secondary coach,” Pagano mentioned. “[As a head coach], you get pulled away from what you like doing and that is teaching the sport. You bought so many different issues going. … However no, I am good. I’ve had sufficient of [head coaching].”
Pagano’s return to Baltimore began with a name to John Harbaugh about one other coach. In January, Pagano reached out a few potential candidate for Harbaugh’s defensive workers. Then, Harbaugh requested Pagano whether or not he wished to teach once more, which led to a video name and a reunion.
Pagano was the secondary coach on Harbaugh’s first teaching workers in Baltimore in 2008. Three years later, Pagano grew to become the defensive coordinator for the Ravens, who ranked No. 3 in yards and factors allowed in 2011.
On Thursday, Pagano thought of it a no brainer to return to the Ravens.
“This was simply in all probability the one alternative that may get me off the sofa,” Pagano mentioned. “Loads of my mates again house mentioned, ‘Are you out of your thoughts? Why would you return to the grind?’ You’ll be able to’t replicate this. You’ll be able to’t replicate the grind.”
Pagano considered returning to teaching the day he retired.
“I by no means actually stopped excited about teaching and excited about the sport,” Pagano mentioned. “My youngsters, my spouse, my daughters — they do not know any higher — however all of them thought I retired too younger.”
Now, Pagano is again in Baltimore, the place he can help Zach Orr, the Ravens’ second-year defensive coordinator. The Ravens allowed 4,150 yards passing in 2024, which marked the second time of their historical past that they gave up over 4,000 yards passing in a season.
Pagano will oversee a proficient secondary that features two Professional Bowl gamers — security Kyle Hamilton and cornerback Marlon Humphrey — and cornerback Nate Wiggins, a 2024 first-round choose.
Many gamers have already approached Pagano about what they may work on. He gave every an in depth response, based on Orr.
“He is a DB skilled,” Orr mentioned. “He will be nice. I am fired up about him.”