After an emotional and inspiring season in Indianapolis, it only seems right that interim coach Bruce Arians was named the NFL Coach of the Year by the Associated Press. Arians is the first interim coach ever to win the award and he won by a decisive margin, collecting 36.5 of the 50 votes.
The offensive coordinator took over as head coach when Chuck Pagano was diagnosed with leukemia in September, and he led the Colts to an 11-5 record and a playoff berth after finishing with a 2-14 record in the 2011 season.
Arians and Pagano, who placed second in the voting, combined for 42 out of the 50 total votes. Arians will be leaving Indy, however, as he accepted the Arizona Cardinalsâ offer to replace Ken Whisenhunt and become their head coach in the upcoming season.
