It appears the Indianapolis Colts' search for a coach will conclude sooner rather than later.
That was the objective of Jim Irsay after he and general manager Ryan Grigson fired Jim Caldwell on Tuesday -- providing the search uncovered "the best man'' -- and that was the message delivered Saturday by the team's owner.
". . . the HC search is wide ranging n thorough,decision by mid 2 late next week,'' Irsay wrote on his Twitter account.
That "wide ranging'' hunt for Caldwell's successor includes former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel. He reportedly met with the Colts for a second time Friday, traveling to Indianapolis from his home in Sarasota, Fla., on Irsay's plane.
Tressel could not be reached for comment, and the Colts are not discussing the process.
However, John Geletka has no problem lobbying on Tressel's behalf.
"A great guy,'' he said. "A great college coach.''
Geletka is a dentist in Youngstown, Ohio, and a longtime friend of Tressel. He was the chairman of the board of trustees at Youngstown State when the school hired Tressel as its football coach in 1986. After leaving that position, Geletka served as Tressel's agent and helped with contract issues, including when Tressel was named Ohio State coach in 2001.
Geletka talks with Tressel once or twice a week but hasn't been in touch with him for a few days. He quit serving as an agent, including Tressel's, several years ago.
"I believe Jim can coach in the NFL,'' said Geletka, whose NFL clientele included Bernie Kosar, Bruce Armstrong and Tom Cousineau. "But I honestly don't know if that's his desire. I don't know what he wants to do.
"As far as a coach, I don't think there's anybody better. There is no one more knowledgeable.''
Does the fact that the Colts have talked with Tressel twice indicate anything to Geletka?
"Read into that what you will,'' he said.
Along with Tressel, the Colts have interviewed New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. and Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Jerry Gray. It's believed that their short list of candidates also includes Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and former Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress.
"Nobody interviews better than Jim Tressel. Nobody,'' Geletka said.
It's uncertain how Tressel, 59, would be received as the Colts' next coach.
During a 10-year stint as Ohio State coach, he led the Buckeyes to a 106-22 record and the 2002 national championship. But Tressel's reign ended in embarrassment and amid controversy, and 12 wins from the 2010 season were vacated. He resigned May 30 because of his involvement in a scandal that resulted in Ohio State being sanctioned by the NCAA. The penalties included a five-year "show cause'' order for Tressel, making it difficult for him to get another college job.
The Colts added Tressel to Caldwell's staff in September, primarily to work on game day as a replay specialist. Because of the Ohio State scandal and the NFL's threat to suspend Tressel for a period of time if the Colts didn't act, the team suspended Tressel for the first seven games of the season.
Geletka stressed that Tressel "can do almost anything he wants, whether it's coach professional football, college football or go into business. Whatever he does, he's going to be successful. I have no doubt about that.''
Call Star reporter Mike Chappell at (317) 444-6830.
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