Polian wins GM of the year (again)

So I guess he drafted ok, right?

Polian previously won SN’s award in 1988, 1991, 1995, 1996 and 1999. The 2009 honor puts him in a class by himself: Since Sporting News began naming an executive of the year award annually in 1972, just two men have won it more than twice — Polian and Young (five). There have been four two-time winners: Bobby Beathard, Jim Finks, Scott Pioli and Dan Rooney.

“To me, this is the most important and prestigious award a person in my position can get,” Polian wrote in a wide-ranging column that appears in the new issue of Sporting News Magazine. “It’s named after George Young, who was not only a friend but an incredible role model and one of the greatest executives of all time. And your peers know what your job entails — to get their vote is special.”

Polian shares credit for the Colts’ success with Jim Caldwell, the fifth rookie coach to lead his team to a Super Bowl. Polian made Caldwell the team’s coach-in-waiting after the 2007 season. A year later, following Tony Dungy’s retirement, the job was his.

Wrote Polian: “A few years back, I went to Tony Dungy and said, ‘Would you mind appointing Jim Caldwell assistant head coach?’ He said, ‘I was going to ask you the same thing.’ It was obvious to both of us that Jim had expertise, leadership ability, organizational skills and poise.