Colts HC Shane Steichen quotes NBA player to raise team's spirits after disappointing 8-9 season

Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen borrowed wisdom from NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo to lift his team's morale following a middling season. The message came as the Colts missed the playoffs for the fourth straight season – their longest drought in 30 years.

Steichen, who just completed his second season as the Colts' coach, addressed his team on Monday. Under his leadership, the Colts have gone 17-17, staying competitive but missing crucial playoff opportunities.

During his postseason address at the Colts facility, Steichen shared the insights while reflecting on the team's 8-9 finish. His words carried extra weight as team owner Jim Irsay had just confirmed both Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard would return for the 2025 season.

"(Giannis Antetokounmpo) said there's no failure in sports... There's frustration, disappointment. If you don't win the SB, the 31 (other teams) did they have failed seasons? No. You learn and you grow... We're gonna have a hell of an offseason," Steichen said in a quote that was posted on Monday.

Antetokounmpo's original quote emerged in May 2023. It came after the Bucks, despite posting the NBA's best regular-season record, suffered a shocking first-round playoff elimination to the Miami Heat. The NBA star compared athletic achievement to career progression. He noted that Michael Jordan's nine nonchampionship seasons weren't failures but steps toward success.

Shane Steichen to keep culture and accountability first

Syndication: The Indianapolis Star - Source: Imagn

Shane Steichen addressed the pressing concerns about team culture head-on;

"Culture is to me about winning, and we didn't win enough this year," Steichen said. "But we got the right guys, and I always say that because we got good character guys in there."

His stance on accountability remained firm amid criticism, including pointed remarks from former Colts punter Pat McAfee about the team's direction:

"I'm a firm believer in accountability. As rare as things come up, they are addressed immediately. I don't let those things slide under the rug," Steichen said.

Looking ahead, Steichen expressed optimism about the team's trajectory:

"I do believe we're close, and if I didn't believe that, there's something wrong," he said. "We want to put a winning product on the field that our fans can be proud of."

Jim Irsay echoed these sentiments in his statement about retaining both Shane Steichen and Ballard:

"Things evolve quickly in the NFL from week to week and season to season, so I will never stop being optimistic that this team can take the next step!"

The coach's determination was evident in his closing remarks:

"I can promise you this, I'm going to be relentless in my pursuit to get this thing going in the right direction moving forward."

With organizational support and a clear vision for growth, Shane Steichen aims to transform the Colts' frustrations into fuel for future success.