Coach ready to resume duty after taking on biggest fight of his life...leukemia

Chuck Pagano stepped to the podium Monday, hugged his team owner, thanked his family for its support, and wiped a tear from his eye.

He might, finally, turn out the lights in his office, too.

Nearly three months to the day after being diagnosed with leukemia, the Colts’ first-year coach returned to a team eager to reunite with a boss healthy enough to go back to work.

‘‘I told you my best day of my life was July 1, 1989,’’ Pagano said, referring to his wedding date. ‘‘Today was No. 2. Getting to pull up, drive in, get out of my car. The key fob still worked — I was beginning to question whether it would or not.”

For Pagano and the Colts, Monday morning was as precious as anyone could have imagined when Pagano took an indefinite leave to face the biggest opponent of his life, cancer.

In his absence, all the Colts did was win nine of 12 games under interim coachBruce Arians and clinch a playoff spot before Sunday’s regular-season finale against Houston, which they pegged as the day they hoped to have Pagano back.

If all goes well at practice this week, Pagano will be on the sideline for the first time since a Week 3 loss to Jacksonville.

‘‘I know Chuck is ready for this challenge. In speaking to his doctor multiple times, I know that the time is right for him to grab the reins, get the head coaching cap on, and begin the journey,’’ owner Jim Irsay said. ‘‘It’s been a miraculous story.”

Pagano repeatedly thanked fans for their prayers and letters, the organization and his family for their unwavering help, and promised to provide comfort and support to other people who are facing similar fights.

‘‘I feel great, my weight is back, my energy is back and, again, it’s just a blessing to be back here,’’ Pagano said.