Jim Caldwell was so new he squeaked. He was a year out of the University of Iowa, a rookie assistant coach at Southern Illinois.

“My first job as a full-time assistant,” the Indianapolis Colts coach said. "I was a 22-year-old sitting at my desk and the athletic director walks into my office. He leaves and I call my dad and I said, ‘You know, I just had the opportunity to meet my all-time favorite.’ "

Gale Sayers served as Southern Illinois’ athletic director from 1976-81.

Caldwell grew up in Beloit, Wis., not far from the Illinois border and just northwest of Chicago, where Sayers was a star for the Chicago Bears. There was no bigger star in football. He had no bigger fan than Caldwell.

The purpose of Sayers’ visit was to welcome him aboard, and to invite him to dinner. It was an offer Caldwell could not refuse.

They had a long conversation, and at one point, the Hall of Fame running back and kick returner asked, “Why did you go into coaching?”

“So I gave him all the reasons: It’s a real challenge. I love the competition. I still feel like I can live vicariously through the guys I coach. I can have an impact on young people,” he recalled.

Sayers listened patiently, then asked again, “Why did you go into coaching?”

Caldwell began again. He tried to put a different spin on the same answer.

Sayers interrupted.

“I’ve never quite understood,” Sayers said, “why a guy would choose to let 18- and 19-year-olds determine the fate of his future.”

Caldwell had no answer, but he remembers the evening fondly. He and Sayers stay in touch. They speak about once a year, and Caldwell’s feelings haven’t changed.

“The guy was incredible,” he said. "You know, there have been a lot of great running backs, but for my money . . . "