The Indianapolis Colts will spend the early part of the offseason searching for a head coach. There are a number of respectable options to consider.
New Year, new head coach. That’s the saying, right? The Indianapolis Colts want to put the 2022 NFL season in the rearview mirror as quickly as possible. For good measure too, as it was one of the worst seasons in the history of the Colts franchise.
From the jump, the season seemed poised for disappointment. The Colts opened up the year with a tie with divisional foe Houston. Things didn’t really look up from there. Poor play from seemingly every offensive position haunted the Colts throughout the year. Additionally, the injury bug hit superstar players such as Jonathan Taylor and Shaquille Leonard.
It was bad the whole season. So bad head coach Frank Reich was fired following a Week 9 loss to the New England Patriots, just one week after the firing of offensive coordinator Marcus Brady. Reich finished his Indy coaching career with a 40-33-1 record.
Colts’ owner Jim Irsay didn’t waste any time appointing the inexperienced ESPN analyst Jeff Saturday as the interim head coach. A move that caught the NFL world by surprise and a decision that most view as a parody. Some have even called it disgraceful.
Jeff Saturday is on the verge of a 1-7 record in his coaching debut unless he can pull out a win against the Houston Texans. Regardless, the search for a successor is full sails underway in 2023.
Where do the Colts go from here?
While the majority of owners tend to not act abruptly when making decisions that majorly affect their professional careers, Jim Irsay is one that’s unpredictable. Finding a leader to potentially bring your franchise a Championship should not be taken lightly. The promise of having an “unorthodox” search for a candidate, is somewhat alarming if Jeff Saturday continues to be a logical candidate.
Rather than continue the demise of a once prestigious franchise, keeping legitimate candidates on your radar should be a priority. Moving on from Jeff Saturday at the season’s end is a must. Some of the options that could restore a prominent team to glory are here.
Coaching candidates could make a return to Colts
Jim Caldwell
Jim Caldwell is a surfacing name as a likely candidate for the Colts. Serving as an assistant in Indianapolis from 2002 to 2008, Caldwell worked with some of the greatest players in Colts’ history. In 2009 Jim Caldwell became the Head Coach of the Colts following the retirement of Tony Dungy. As a member of the 2006 staff that won the Super Bowl against the Chicago Bears, Caldwell would look to rejoice the franchise and uplift them back to contending status. A great candidate to place with a young franchise quarterback and plenty of offensive weapons to develop an offense around.
Jim Harbaugh – University of Michigan Head Coach
Quite possibly the favorite for the opening, and a name that’s been circulating around the NFL for the last few years. Jim Harbaugh may be looking to take the College to NFL path again after Michigan was defeated by TCU in the Fiesta Bowl. Harbaugh was the quarterback of the Colts in the later era of the 90s. He turned Michigan back into a regular powerhouse in the NCAA and could be the face to lead the Colts.
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Bubba Ventrone – Indianapolis Colts Special Teams Coordinator
Current Special Teams coordinator, Bubba Ventrone will most likely be fielding interviews for other openings as they transpire. The opportunity for the Colts to jump the gun on in-house candidacy should start and stop right here. Since joining the staff, the Colts have undoubtedly fielded one of the best special team units under Ventrone. In key situations, the third aspect of football has been clutch as big plays highlight the best tendencies of winning. Hiring Ventrone would be “unorthodox” if you want to look outside the norm of only fielding offensive-minded or defensive-minded coaches as candidates.
Jonathan Gannon – Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Coordinator
A defensive coordinator whose team just set an NFL record by having four players with double-digit sacks in a single season, Gannon would resurface in Indy after spending three seasons as the defensive backs coach in Indianapolis. A strong point of the Colts, the defense, would further establish itself as one of the great units in the NFL.
Coordinators the Colts could hire
DeMeco Ryans – San Fransisco 49ers Defensive Coordinator
The latest member of the Shanahan coaching tree is set to be a hot
commodity for head coach openings. DeMeco Ryans was playing in the NFL just a few seasons ago, and now as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator, he’s coached the standard of what an NFL defense should look like. The 49ers haven’t allowed a rusher of more than 60 yards on the season thus far. Plug that nature into what the Colts currently show on defense and you get an insane projection to an elite group. The NFL has taken a younger approach in hiring leadership over recent years, and the Colts could capitalize majorly here by offering one of the best available.
Eric Bieniemy – Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Coordinator
A staple for head coach candidacy over the last few seasons, Indy would greatly benefit by any means if they add a coach from one of the most prolific offensive minds football has ever seen. Eric Bieniemy paired with a young QB is a key for fine development, likely to ignite what the Colts offense has missed for years, and regain contender status in the AFC.
Ken Dorsey – Buffalo Bills Offensive Coordinator
Another offensive-minded head coach with a direct reflection on developing elite QBs, Ken Dorsey had a strong hand in the progression of Josh Allen in Buffalo. One of the best options to consider if player development deems a priority. The creative nature and scouting background pair greatly with the Colts’ front office who have had some fantastic selections each April.
Are the Colts still an enticing destination for free agents and head coaching candidates?
The Indianapolis Colts will hire a head coach this offseason and try to add some quality free agents, but is Indy even a team people want to join?