The first year coach of the Colts had a great first season and even won a playoff game. But 2019 will truly show the mettle of Frank Reich.
Frank Reich was hired after Josh McDaniels spurned the Colts at the 11th hour. He ended up clearly being the better choice as he led the Colts to a 10-6 record and won a playoff game as well. But 2019 will tell whether or not Reich has the mettle to last as a head coach.
Next season will be the first in which Reich has all of his own assistants. All of his assistants except one, defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, were hand-picked by him. He now has everyone he believes can help the team succeed at the highest level.
With that power comes great responsibility. It’s now Reich’s responsibility to show everyone that he can effectively build a staff and improve a team who already looks formidable. That is not an easy task for someone who had never been a head coach until one year ago.
That is why 2019 is so crucial. It will tell people whether or not the Colts were able to sneak up on people because they were the underdog, or they are truly a great team. A great team who is being built up for greater things in the future.
Reich doesn’t have to increase his win total from last year to do that. He doesn’t even have to win the division. What he does have to do is get back to the Divisional round of the playoffs or get further than that. He has to show last year was not a fluke.
Those around the Colts organization believe that he can do that and maybe even more. They have the utmost confidence in him. I think they are right to have that confidence.