INDIANAPOLIS – For so long, the timing wasn’t right.
But when it was, it proved to be a perfect fit.
“It was just time for a new challenge,’’ Charlie Partridge said, who a quarter-century of collegiate coaching behind to assume the role of defensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts.
The old challenge, which obviously kept a firm grip on him, involved developing collegiate talent. There were coaching stints at seven universities, including two stretches and 12 years at his beloved Pittsburgh.
“The thing that I can tell you is I’ve always loved developing young players,’’ Partridge said. “It’s the core of me, what I am.
“I was a teacher by trade. I love teaching guys the game. I love teaching football.’’
The NFL showed occasional interest. Once, a member of the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive staff reached out to gauge Partridge’s willingness to take that final step in his coaching career.
“It never really got to second base,’’ he said. “It was, ‘Charlie, are you willing to step into the batter’s box?’
“And after a few conversations, it just wasn’t the right time. It was extremely tempting.’’
But Partridge put his family first. One of his two daughters was having a difficult time coping with the frequent relocations associated with a father being a college coach. From 2012-17, the family moved from Wisconsin to Arkansas to Florida Atlantic and back to Pittsburgh.
“It was starting to affect her,’’ Partridge admitted.
It had to stop, and did.
From 2017, Pittsburgh was homebase until the Colts reached out this offseason.
“Now, my daughter is a senior,’’ Partridge, 50, said. “She’s working her way to college and (Indy) is a wonderful place.
“When you add everything up, it’s, ‘Yeah, this is the time.’’’
From assistant head coach/defensive line coach at Pitt to defensive line coach with the Colts.
“Been watching him,’’ general manager Chris Ballard said. “Actually a few years ago, we actually reached out to him and he’s a very principled, centered man. He wasn’t leaving Pittsburgh. He had given a commitment, which in today’s world is very unique and I admire.’’
Partridge’s track record was impressive. He helped develop J.J. Watt at Wisconsin, Trey Hendrickson at Florida Atlantic, Calijah Kancey and Rashad Weaver at Pitt and Trey Flowers and Chris Smith at Arkansas.
Watt was the 11th overall pick in 2011 by Houston, is a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and a lock for first-ballot entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Hendickson was a third-round pick of New Orleans in 2017 who’s had at least 13.5 sacks in three of the last four seasons with the Saints and Cincinnati. Kancey was a 2023 first-round pick by Tampa Bay while Weaver was a 2021 second-round pick of the Tennessee Titans. Smith was a fifth-round pick of Jacksonville in 2014 and Flowers a fourth-rounder by New England in ’15.
“Look at his history of developing players,’’ Ballard said. “This guy has coached some really good players and they all tell you he’s one of the best ones they’ve ever had.
“So, we’re excited to get him.’’
The feelings are reciprocal, with an expected caveat.
“I love college football. Still do,’’ he said. “The reality is there’s a point in your career where I think you want different challenges. I think the world of Pitt. I think the world of coach (Pat) Narduzzi.
“I think the world of college football. We all know it’s a little in flux right now. They’re trying to figure out the direction of college athletics.’’
Partridge wouldn’t wade much deeper into that area. Some long-time head coaches and assistants want nothing to do with the expanding recruiting and all that entails: high school talent, the transfer portal, NILs, etc.
Partridge wouldn’t go there.
He pointed to Ballard, head coach Shane Steichen, defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and the entire setup.
“An opportunity to come to a place like the Colts and the culture that’s here,’’ Partridge said. “All that together combined to be an absolute no-brainer.’’
As if the “perfect timing’’ wasn’t enough, Partridge was further rewarded on the first day of the April 25 draft.
With the 15th overall pick, Ballard delivered UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu to Partridge’s defensive line room. For the first time in the history of the draft, offensive players were taken with the first 14 picks.
“The way the draft played out and when we saw that he was still there available at 15, I hoped,’’ Partridge said. “This is my first draft experience, so certainly was excited when that was the decision that was made.
“(Latu is) a great kid and we knew that he brought a lot to the table and we’ll see how his rookie year goes.’’
It’s worth pointing out Partridge heads into his rookie year as an NFL coach with a loaded room. The Colts set an Indy-era record with 51 sacks last season, and everyone returns: DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, Tyquan Lewis, Dayo Odeyingbo, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Taven Bryan.
“Incredible leaders, great players,’’ Partridge said. “There are a bunch of young guys who are working their way through learning the game and developing.
“That’s fun for me because my passion is development.’’
Paye was the Colts’ first-round pick in 2021, No. 21 overall. He’s gotten better every season, which was the overriding reason the Colts exercised Paye’s fifth-year option worth $13.387 million.
He described the decision as “motivation.’’
“They’re giving me more opportunities to just add to the team, and just contribute to winning,’’ Paye said. “So for me, I’m just going to hit the ground running again.’’
He’s quickly warmed to Partridge.
“He’s going to give everything he has to the d-line room and he’s not going to leave anybody behind,’’ Paye said. “Coaches everyone the same way. The energy he brings to practice, the meeting room, you can just feel it.’’
Stewart already has established himself as one of the NFL’s premier run stoppers. His objective is to be seen as an “elite’’ player, and believes Partridge will help him reach that level.
“When I first met him, I just told him, ‘Work me. Push me so I can get there,’’’ Stewart said.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.