FORT WAYNE – The Indianapolis Colts’ new head coach has a pedigree in defense but no experience being in charge.

Chuck Pagano had spent only one season as the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive coordinator before the Colts confirmed his hiring Wednesday.

Terms of his contract weren’t available, and the Colts reserved comment until Pagano’s introduction today in Indianapolis.

“It’s difficult to leave the Ravens, but I couldn’t pass up on this great opportunity,” Pagano told the Ravens’ website. “I’m just thrilled and so excited.”

It’s the third time Colts owner Jim Irsay has turned to a defensive-minded coach since replacing his father as team owner in 1997, first hiring Jim Mora and then Tony Dungy as Mora’s replacement in 2002.

“I like it,” Pro Bowl defensive end Robert Mathis wrote on Twitter.

The hiring of Pagano, 51, is the latest in a series of changes since the Colts’ league-worst 2-14 finish last season.

Irsay fired vice chairman Bill Polian and his son, Chris, who had been the vice president and general manager. Ryan Grigson, a 39-year-old former director of player personnel for the Philadelphia Eagles, was hired as the new general manager.

Most of the coaching staff from last season was fired, including head coach Jim Caldwell, who was 26-22 in three seasons and guided Indianapolis to the Super Bowl after the 2009 season.

In recent interviews with the Indianapolis Star and New York Times, four-time MVP quarterback Peyton Manning painted a picture of an uncomfortable atmosphere at the Colts’ facilities, as he rehabilitates from three neck surgeries in 19 months. He said he’s barely met Grigson and was not consulted on the overhauls.

The Colts have until March 8 to decide whether they will pick up Manning’s $28 million option. With the top pick in April’s NFL draft and the opportunity to take Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck or Baylor’s Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, the decisions aren’t easy.

With Pagano, the Ravens reached the AFC championship game before losing 23-20 on Sunday to the New England Patriots, who will play the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 5.

The Ravens’ defense ranked third during the regular season, giving up 288.9 yards per game.

Previously, Pagano spent three seasons as the Ravens’ secondary coach. He also has NFL experience with Oakland and Cleveland and college experience with North Carolina, Miami, East Carolina, UNLV, Boise State and USC, coaching defensive backs.

“Chuck, he’s the ultimate coach that you wanted to play for,” Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo told www.baltimoreravens.com.

“On the field, you never wanted to let him down. It’s great news. You like to see people excel and become so much more and see what they become. It would be a selfish point of view to be sad. He’s going on to bigger things.”

Teammate Jameel McClain agreed.

“The Colts organization got a great guy, a great coach,” he said. “I think he’ll make an amazing head coach. Anybody would like to go to bat with a guy who will have your back.”

The Colts’ defense hasn’t finished a season ranked better than 11th since 2007; last season it was 25th, allowing 370.9 yards per game.

It was the first time since 2001 the Colts missed the playoffs.

“What makes him good? He relates to the players a whole lot,” Baltimore defensive end Cory Redding said. “He’s almost like a player in a D-coordinator’s position. The guy has so much fun with us. He treats you like more than a player. It’s like we’re his sons. He wants us to do well. He keeps it fresh. He knows everybody’s strengths and puts them in position to make plays.”

Said Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs: “Chuck is unorthodox. He’s like The Joker. You never really expect what he’s going to do, and everything has a motive.”

Colts safety Antoine Bethea tweeted after the hire: “New Head Coach in town!! Hope he brings that Raven style of defense in with him!!”

jcohn@jg.net

The Associated Press contributed to this report.