Howard Mudd Retires

Colts' Offensive Line coach Howard Mudd is reportedly going to retire according to the Indianpolis Star. Here is the article in its entirety: http://www.indystar.com/article/20090506/SPORTS03/905060384 Here is the text: Offensive line coach Howard Mudd is planning to retire after 11 years with the Indianapolis Colts and 35 seasons in the NFL, Larry Kennan, executive director of the NFL Coaches Association, confirmed today. “Howard gave me his permission to talk about this because he doesn’t want to and won’t,” Kennan said. “He doesn’t want to jeopardize what he already believes is a tenuous position. triggerAd(1,PaginationPage,6); “I know Bill Polian and Jim Irsay are trying to work things out so he can continue coaching, but right now it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen.” Mudd’s decision is based on prospective changes in retirement benefits for NFL front office employees approved at owners meetings in Dana Point, Calif., last month and the possibility that funding issues might prevent him from taking his pension in a full, lump-sum payment. Colts president Bill Pollian acknowledged that Mudd is considering retirement because of his pension status, according to a statement issued this afternoon. "We have the highest personal affection and professional regard for Howard and it would be inappropriate for us to speculate at this time about any decisions he might eventually reach,” Pollian Mudd, 67, and the longest continuously employed coach active in the NFL, did not immediately return calls to his homes in Indianapolis and the Seattle area. Kennan said that Colts offensive coordinator Tom Moore, 70, and a 32-year NFL veteran, also is considering retirement. Moore could not be reached for comment.