Ranking the Colts head coaching candidates
By Noah Compton
The Indianapolis Colts have been busy at work searching for a new head coach. Here’s a ranking of all 13 candidates on Indy’s list so far.
As it stands, there is an abundance of head coaching candidates for the Indianapolis Colts to choose from. Some familiar faces, as well as some new blood. When it comes to this head coach hiring, in particular, the Colts are in no position for a mishap. That can certainly be said for any organization that is in dire need of a new face at its helm, however, the Indianapolis Colts, specifically, are on the brink of an organizational collapse.
After firing head coach Frank Reich earlier in the season after another slow start (3-5-1), as well as offensive coordinator Marcus Brady, team owner Jim Irsay is pulling out all the stops to begin the head coaching search; that begins with general manager Chris Ballard leading the charge.
As of January 20, the Colts have interviewed and/or have requested to interview a whopping 14 head-coaching candidates; one of which has already elected to return to his current team (Ben Johnson). Johnson was regarded as the most intriguing of candidates this time around, on par with San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, whom the Colts also plan to interview soon.
Contrary to popular belief, former Colts legend and most recently, interim head coach of the 2022 Indianapolis Colts, Jeff Saturday, is absolutely a viable candidate to be the next head coach of Indianapolis. That possibility has come with a lot of criticism. Indy has also been criticized for the number of candidates it’s interviewing.
I'm told #Colts owner Jim Irsay believes Jeff Saturday has the capabilities to be a head coach. That's why Saturday’s in this position and why Indianapolis might deliberate and take their time with a decision. Saturday would pick his own staff, which he relayed in his interview.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 19, 2023
It’s unfortunate to see a franchise legend be so ridiculed for wanting to continue his coaching career, regardless of how it came to fruition. To be fair, the lack of accountability from Saturday in his post-season press conference really sat with the fanbase in a bad way, mainly because when he took the interim gig, he boastfully exclaimed, “I may be terrible at this, and after eight games I’ll say, God Bless You!”
This isn’t meant to be anti-Saturday rhetoric, but more so, to prove that despite the failures that have transpired as of recent, Saturday remains a real possibility for the Colts’ next head coach. And now, a perfect segue into the ranking(s):