Dowhower Has Work Cut Out as Colt Coach

Settling the muddled quarterback situation of the Indianapolis Colts is a top priority of Rod Dowhower, who was named coach of the National Football League team Monday.

“I want to go into the season with the quarterback spot settled,” Dowhower said at a news conference.

The former offensive coordinator of the St. Louis Cardinals succeeds Frank Kush, who resigned the week before the final game of the regular season to become head coach of Arizona in the United States Football League.

“I know the Colts used three quarterbacks last season,” Dowhower said. “I want them to know that all three have a shot at the job and that there is no No. 1 at this point. It all depends on how hard they want to work, how they adapt to my plans and how they take directions.”

Dowhower, 41, takes command of a team that was 28th in the league in passing. The 239 points scored by Indianapolis was also the least in the league, and only two teams had fewer touchdowns.

Mike Pagel, who said earlier he wanted to be traded, saw the most action at quarterback. The three-year veteran started the first seven games and nine of 16 as Indianapolis compiled a 4-12 record. Mark Herrmann started two games and Art Schlichter had the other five starts.

“In terms of my philosophy, the players are the focal point. I look at myself as a teacher,” said Dowhower, who owner Robert Irsay said was the only man offered the job.

Dowhower received a five-year contract, but the terms were not disclosed.

Dowhower’s first NFL coaching experience was with St. Louis as a member of Don Coryell’s staff in 1973. He then moved to UCLA where he served as offensive coordinator under Dick Vermeil, helping the 1975 Bruins defeat Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Following a year as offensive coordinator at Boise State, he was named quarterback coach at Stanford under current San Francisco 49er Coach Bill Walsh.

In 1979, he coached Stanford to a 5-5-1 record and then joined the Denver Broncos as offensive coordinator. He rejoined the Cardinals in 1982.

“I’ve been with systems where we throw the ball a lot, and that’s the type of offense I want here,” he said. “I’m prone to the forward pass. I’ve been brought up that way.”

club’s dressing room during a game to express his displeasure, Dowhower said:

“In meeting with Robert Irsay and his son Jim (the club’s general manager), I’ve become convinced we can have a good relationship. We had very professional negotiations and I’m taking this job with full confidence that we can each do our job effectively without creating problems.

“They understand how I feel about my job and I believe I understand their thoughts about their club.”