After a long and thorough search for the next head coach of the Indianapolis Colts it looks like general manager Chris Ballard has zeroed in on Josh McDaniels.
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has been one of the top targets to replace Chuck Pagano as the next Colts head coach ever since Pagano was relieved of his duties following a Week 17 win.
Albert Breer reported that the Colts had narrowed their list of candidates down to Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels, but there was another report earlier in the week saying that Indianapolis’ front office would likely hire an offensive-minded candidate.
Ian Rapoport has just reported that his sources tell him that Josh McDaniels is the “clear favorite” to become the next head coach and conclude a two week-long search.
#Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has indicated to potential assistants to wait for him. The belief is he takes the #Colts job, as he's the clear favorite, sources say. Indy's other finalist is Mike Vrabel.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 14, 2018
With the Patriots’ blowout win over the Titans in the Divisional Round, the Colts will have to wait until New England’s playoff run is over to officially hire him. McDaniels has been one of the top candidates for multiple head coaching openings this offseason, so he will likely be worth the wait.
Even though McDaniels’ first stint as a head coach didn’t go well (you can check out the rest of our coaching profile here), he’s still only 41 years old and he’s had plenty of time to learn from some of the mistakes he’s made in Denver.
If Josh McDaniels does choose to take the job, he was likely given some sort of assurance that Andrew Luck would be healthy in 2018. While that’s not a 100% certainty, McDaniels would have to feel pretty good about Luck’s recovery to take this job in Indianapolis.
In my opinion McDaniels was the best coaching candidate the Colts have interviewed this offseason, and he could form a dangerous coach-quarterback combo with Andrew Luck for years to come.