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Ex-Colts O-line Coach Hal Hunter Joins Pep on Browns Coaching Staff

By Luke Schultheis

Dec 13, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Indianapolis Colts center Jonotthan Harrison (72) hikes the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third quarter at EverBank Field. The Jaguars won 51-16. Mandatory Credit: Jim Steve-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Indianapolis Colts center Jonotthan Harrison (72) hikes the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third quarter at EverBank Field. The Jaguars won 51-16. Mandatory Credit: Jim Steve-USA TODAY Sports /
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Following offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, former Indianapolis Colts offensive line coach Hal Hunter will reportedly also be joining the Cleveland Browns coaching staff to fill the same position:

It was announced last week that Hunter would not be returning to the Colts as offensive line coach, as the team hired former Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin instead at the coaching position.

Hunter spent the past three seasons with the Colts as an offensive line coach. He was an assistant offensive line coach for two seasons before being elevated to offensive line coach last season.

Prior to joining the Colts, he was the San Diego Chargers offensive line coach (2006-12), and later even became their offensive coordinator (2012-13).

However, the Colts offensive line clearly struggled under Hunter’s tutelage last season.

They ranked as the 15th best offensive line according to ProFootballFocus, but to the naked eye, it felt like this unit was much worse:

"“The Colts offensive line clearly struggled last season, as the Colts surrendered the 2nd most QB hits with 118 total QB hits, which was only 3 less than the league-leading Cleveland Browns at 121 total QB Hits.”“Things didn’t fare much better on the ground, as the Colts finished 29th in rushing, averaging 89.9 rush yards per game. Not to mention, the team only had 6 rushing touchdowns on the season which was 28th best in the NFL.”"

While some of that can be attributed to injuries–as starting left tackle Anthony Castonzo missed 3 games, the unit collectively struggled. 

Hunter wasn’t necessarily given the most talent to work with along the offensive line, as the Colts could clearly use an upgrade at starting center and right guard going forward. However, the Colts also haven’t been able to successfully develop their young offensive lineman with the exception of starting left guard Jack Mewhort.

Specifically, young interior offensive lineman like Khaled Holmes, Hugh Thornton, and Jonotthan Harrison continue to play at a middling level along the offensive line and have shown neither consistency nor improvement.

Fortunately for Hunter, he moves to an offensive line with the Cleveland Browns that was ranked the 5th best according to ProFootballFocus–yet somehow led the league in QB hits as mentioned.

It features the likes of stalwarts such as left tackle Joe Thomas (*if re-signed), center Alex Mack, and left guard Joel Bitonio.

Simply put, it looks like he’ll have superior ingredients now to bake an award winning cake along his new offensive line.

Meanwhile, recently hired Joe Philbin has his work clearly cut out for him as Colts offensive line coach this offseason in what remains a significant work in progress.

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