The Colts have already hired offensive and defensive coordinators to work under Frank Reich in 2018, now they’ve reportedly brought in a special teams coach.
Indianapolis has hired Matt Eberflus to run the defense next season, and Nick Sirianni will be the Colts’ offensive coordinator. Reich has now reportedly hired Raymond “Bubba” Ventrone as the new special teams coordinator in Indianapolis.
Ventrone played in the NFL from 2005-14 spending two stints with the Patriots, and time with the Jets, Browns, and 49ers. He played defensive back, but the majority of his playing time during his career was on special teams.
Ventrone was hired by the Patriots as their assistant special teams coach in 2015 where he won a Super Bowl and appeared in another during his time on New England’s coaching staff.
At just 35 years old, Ventrone is an up-and-coming coach in this league. The Patriots put an enormous emphasis on special teams in their organization, so Ventrone should be well-trained in the intricacies of running special teams units.
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The Colts didn’t do many things well last season, but they were ranked eighth in the league in special teams efficiency according to Football Outsiders.
Adam Vinatieri has remained a very solid placekicker at age 45, and he’s on the record saying he would like to return to Indianapolis next season. Rigoberto Sanchez was a great pickup by the Colts’ front office as he was voted to be the punter on the NFL’s All-Rookie team in 2017.
Ventrone has some great pieces to work with on special teams, and his training with New England should prepare him for success with the Colts.