[
]()
INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts have lost a key contributor to many outstanding seasons as Tom Telesco departs as vice president of football operations to join San Diego as general manager.
"Tom Telesco has played a crucial role in our successes since he joined the Colts in 1998," said Owner and CEO Jim Irsay. "His talent and character also have been apparent to other clubs throughout the league. Despite our efforts to persuade Tom to stay, it was only a matter of time before another club snared him to be its general manager.
"I appreciate everything he has done for the horseshoe and have no doubt he will be successful for years to come. Everyone in the Colts organization wishes Tom nothing but the best."
Telesco moved through the football operations ranks in 15 seasons with the Colts. He started with Indianapolis as an area scout from 1998-2000. He was promoted to pro scout in 2001 and served in that role for three years.
Telesco was promoted to director of pro scouting in 2004 and to director of player personnel in 2006. He worked in that role through 2011, a tenure that saw two Super Bowl appearances by the club, then was promoted to his current title on February 8, 2012.
"I cannot say enough about Tom Telesco, and I speak for everyone in this building. Despite him being here for 14 seasons prior to our new regime, Tom bought in from day one, and the professionalism he showed on a daily basis never wavered," said General Manager Ryan Grigson. "We developed a strong bond during this special season, and I will forever be grateful for having him at my side since Jan. 11.
"He was instrumental in our success this year, and I couldn't have asked for a better right hand man. He helped lay our foundation of a new era and was a living example in every area of his duties of the mantra Coach Pagano preached from day one in terms of 'Trust, Loyalty and Respect.' I don't know a finer football man/person than Tom Telesco. He is very deserving of this privilege, and the San Diego Chargers are in great hands. On behalf of the entire Colts organization we wish Tom, Larah and his children nothing but the best as they begin this new journey together."
During his stay with Indianapolis, the club won the AFC East in 1999 and the AFC South from 2003-07, 09-10. The Colts appeared in three AFC Championship games, winning twice, and two Super Bowls (XLI, XLIV), winning once.
The Colts' 115-45 regular-season mark from 2000-09 stands as the NFL's winningest decade.
Telesco was a camp intern with Buffalo from 1991-94, then started his career as a scouting assistant with Carolina in 1995. He was promoted to area scout one year prior to joining Indianapolis.
Telesco, 40, holds a business management degree from John Carroll University, where he played wide receiver. He is a native of Buffalo, N.Y.
