The Colts have begun to make moves toward finding a new head coach after firing Chuck Pagano. The Houston Texans have granted the Colts’ front office permission to interview defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel for the vacant head coaching position in Indianapolis.
Colts fans’ heads are about to begin spinning as the franchise is searching for a new coach for the first time since 2012. Here’s what we know so far:
- The Colts officially fired Chuck Pagano on Sunday afternoon.
- The front office has submitted requests to interview Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks for the head coaching job.
- The Colts have been granted permission to interview Texans defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel for the position.
Josh McDaniels and Steve Wilks’ teams are both getting ready for the playoffs, so the Colts will have to wait to interview them in person until the season is over. However, the front office can talk to the coaches indirectly through their agents as they prepare to make a hire.
Mike Vrabel’s Texans fell apart after Deshaun Watson’s injury, and they are not in the playoffs this season. Therefore, the Colts can interview him as soon as possible to find out if he’s ready for his first head coaching job.
The Colts have been granted permission to interview Texans defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel, per source.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 1, 2018
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We wrote up a complete profile on Mike Vrabel here as he’s become a hot coaching prospect.
While his stock is high, Vrabel is extremely inexperienced. He began his coaching career in 2011 at his alma mater Ohio State, and he was hired by the Texans as their linebackers coach in 2014.
Vrabel just finished his first season as a defensive coordinator in which his unit was ravaged by injuries all year long.
I’d expect the Colts to be impressed by Mike Vrabel during his impending interview, but does he have enough experience to be handed the keys of an NFL team? That’s a decision general manager Chris Ballard will have to make within the next few weeks.
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