Ranking the Colts head coaching candidates

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.

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):

13. Colts interim head coach Jeff Saturday

By now it’s no secret that what Jeff Saturday lacks most as a candidate, is the fact he has no coaching experience. At least that was true when they named him interim head coach, but since then, he’s only added said gig to his resume. Therefore, there’s little to no additional reason to be considering Saturday for a full-time head-coaching role.

Prior to the Jeff Saturday experience, Saturday did have experience within the Colts’ front office, as he was what’s known as a team consultant— taking what he hears and knows from around the league as an ESPN Analyst, further helping the organization via his overall knowledge.

To be fair, the 2022 Colts did improve in some areas after he took over as interim head coach. Those areas include:

• Rushing Yards/game went from 30th in the league to 12th
• Rushing Yards/attempt went from 30th to 10th
• Pass Protection went from 29th to 11th

If anything, I think Jeff Saturday would be best suited as an offensive line coach. Would he be inclined to take a far lesser role, that’s the catch. It seems that if Saturday isn’t retained as head coach of the Colts, he will return to ESPN as an analyst.

12. Packers special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia

If there’s any interim head coach of recent that deserves to take over the said team for the foreseeable future, it’s probably Rich Bisaccia when he became interim head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021. Under Bisaccia, the team rallied hard en route to a 7-5 finish (10-7 overall) and a playoff appearance— only losing by a touchdown to the eventual AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals.

Bisaccia has 20 years of experience in the NFL as a special teams coordinator. Most recently, he helped the Packers take a 10-spot jump in Special Teams Rankings.

11. Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy

With Bieniemy coordinating the offense, the Chiefs’ offense has remained one of the NFL’s best offenses by a wide range of statistics. Since he became offensive coordinator in 2018, the Chiefs have remained a top-six scoring offense (PPG) each season (No. 1 in 2018 & 2022).

But isn’t 2018 the year Mahomes became the starter full-time? Yes, but directly alongside one of the all-time great head coaches Andy Reid, Bieniemy has helped transcend Patrick Mahomes to stardom by coordinating one of the most innovative & explosive offensive units in the NFL.

There have been theories for years as to why Bieniemy has been interviewed as many times as he has for a head coaching gig to no avail. From past legal troubles to current-day concerns as to if he possesses character concerns within the team, it’s almost as if Bieniemy wasn’t meant to be a head coach. I’m not saying that’s the case, but history seems to have written that story.

10. Giants defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale

Wink Martindale is, in all aspects, a defensive-minded coach. He has exclusively coached on that side of the ball in the NFL for 18 years now, spending the previous 10 seasons as the heart and soul of the Baltimore Ravens defense.

During his time in Baltimore, “Martindale won Super Bowl XLVII and consistently had one of the NFL’s best defenses. His unit ranked in the top three in the NFL in points allowed in each of his first three seasons, and first, fourth and seventh, respectively, in yardage yielded while never finishing lower than eighth against the run or the pass.”

The league as a whole is getting collectively younger at the head coaching spot. This doesn’t mean Martindale is at a disadvantage per se, but I do feel like organizations in this day and age are valuing youth and relatability more than ever.

9. Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn

Dan Quinn is the first of the candidates mentioned to have previous, full-time head-coaching experience, as opposed to some of the previous interim coaches. Before he was a head coach, Quinn served as an assistant coach under the likes of Steve Mariucci, Mike McCarthy, Pete Carroll, Jim L. Mora (Jr.), and Nick Saban. During his time as head coach, three of his assistants (Matt LaFleur, Mike McDaniel, & Kyle Shanahan) were hired elsewhere as head coaches. This alone proves that Quinn is capable of constructing a solid staff alongside him.

8. Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn

Once again, here is a defensive coach who is ready for his shot to lead a team as opposed to one side of the ball. Since 2012 when he made his NFL coaching debut, Glenn has worked as both a scout and defensive coach for the Jets, Browns, Saints, and now Lions.

Has been the defensive coordinator for Detroit for the past two seasons and was a secondary coach for the better part of the 2010s (2014 to 2019) with the Browns and Saints. His 2014 Browns were second in the NFL in interceptions (21) & his 2017 Saints were third with 20.

7. Colts special teams coordinator Raymond “Bubba” Ventrone

Many Colts fans were both shocked and disappointed this season when Coach Ventrone was passed on for the interim gig. The overall consensus was not only that Ventrone was the best fit, but that he deserved the opportunity more than anyone, inside or outside of the organization.

It’s rare, and almost an outlier, when you consider how many times a special teams coordinator has made a successful and sustainable jump to head coach (i.e., John Harbaugh, Mike Ditka, & Marv Levy).

Solely looking back to what NFL Insider Tom Pelissero had to say about Ventrone in his annual young coaches to watch list, hindsight bias aside, it seemed then, and seems now, like a no-brainer:

“He learned under the likes of Bill Belichick, Frank Reich and longtime NFL special teams coach Brad Seely. Ventrone is detailed. He has presence. He’s experienced in game management and is known as a good talent evaluator who understands big-picture roster management, in a job that already requires him to work with the entire team. Ventrone coaches players hard, and they respect him for it. Head-coaching hires from special teams posts are rare, but Ventrone is one to watch.”

6. Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero

Ejiro Evero has blossomed as a head-coaching candidate this offseason. Like some of the previously mentioned candidates, Evero has exclusively coached on the defensive side of the ball. Evero’s defense, despite losing its best contributor in Bradley Chubb to Miami via a midseason trade, has remained a bright spot amidst a gloomy season in Denver. They’re 10th in DVOA Team Defense as they allowed the seventh-fewest yards per game. He has coached all three phases at various spots and has been well-regarded at each stop over 15 NFL seasons.

5. Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka

Mike Kafka fits the fold for what the league has transitioned to recently. That is, a young and relatable, offensive-minded individual. Kafka (35) is a first-year offensive coordinator with New York. He possesses innate leadership traits and earned a strong reputation as a QB tutor after reuniting with Reid in Kansas City. He was Patrick Mahomes’ QB Coach prior to becoming an OC and has since led Giants QB1 Daniel Jones to a career year, as well as the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2016.

I enjoy Kafka a great deal, but like someone that’ll be showcased soon, I fret that elevating him to a head coaching gig at just 35 will in turn see more growing pains than overall success.

4. Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen

Steichen has played a massive role in the Eagles’ offensive rise when taking over play-calling duties during the 2021 season. Overall, he has a good reputation going back to his days with the then-San Diego Chargers. Additionally, when it comes to quarterback play, he has coached and mentored the likes of Philip Rivers and most recently, Jalen Hurts.

Steichen is up there with Kafka when it comes to which candidate will benefit the Colts’ upcoming franchise QB the most. Many believed, including me, that the strained relationship of the Colts and Frank Reich will negatively impact the potential that any Eagles’ coach is poached from Indianapolis, but as Steichen is set to interview, that may very well just be speculation.

3. 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans

For two straight offseasons, DeMeco Ryans has been the hottest head coaching candidate out there. Just last season, Ryans did the unthinkable. After a great interview with the Minnesota Vikings, Ryans elected to decline the Vikings’ request for a second interview. At that point, Ryans had made up his mind as he deemed himself unready to be a head coach and would return to San Francisco to finish what he started, as well as better himself as both a coach and candidate.

Ryans is again considered the hottest head coaching candidate this time around— a two-time Pro Bowler in his 10 seasons as an NFL linebacker who is now in his sixth year as a 49ers assistant & second as DC. His 49ers’ defense had the best Team Defense DVOA rating this year & was seventh in 2021.

He may just be 38 years old but is reportedly wise beyond his years and exudes exactly what leadership entails.

2. Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris

I am remaining steadfast in my personal agenda of Raheem Morris becoming the next head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, however, I would be remiss to believe there aren’t other viable, and potentially better candidates out there that better suit what the Colts are looking for.

Morris does have previous head coaching experience with the Buccaneers (2009 to 2011) and was the interim coach for the Falcons in 2020 before joining the Rams last year. When it comes to his coaching tree, he has served as an assistant coach for Jon Gruden, Mike Shanahan, Dan Quinn, and Sean McVay. Needless to say, Morris has been around some of the most influential coaches of the modern-day NFL.

I don’t necessarily need to bring this up, but the Colts are indeed looking for their next franchise QB this Spring in the 2023 NFL Draft. This isn’t to say Morris is incapable of tapping into the potential of a (presumed) rookie QB, because he certainly has the connections and reputation to fill a staff of offensive-minded individuals who could, but there’s one guy in particular who I feel could knock this retooling/rebuilding period in Indianapolis out of the park.

1. Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan

The irony in how I ended the last candidate will make sense when I say this, but Brian Callahan of Cincinnati seems to be the home run hire that everyone is talking about. It wasn’t until January 19, that Callahan received his first request to interview for a head-coaching gig. That is surprising in itself, as there are a handful of other teams still without a head coach for the future that could easily benefit from taking a shot at Callahan, but what took so long?

As I’ve probably mentioned upwards of double-digit times now, the league is moving towards youthful, offensive-minded head coaches. Now, the NFL is what’s known as a copycat league, so maybe the overall success of these younger coaches is happening due to more shots being taken, but it feels like a no-brainer that Callahan gets his name called sooner than later.

He is the epitome of an offensive-minded coach as he’s only ever coached that side of the ball. Not just that, he has been a prominent figure for each team’s quarterback position during his time in the NFL. Most recently, he has overseen the turnaround of the Bengals, and more specifically, has coordinated the most explosive offense in the NFL with MVP Candidate, Joe Burrow, at the helm.

He has been Cincinnati’s OC for the past four seasons. Prior to this stint, Callahan was a QBs coach for Derek Carr, Matthew Stafford, and most notably, Peyton Manning in 2015, en route to a Super Bowl victory. If what I’ve just laid out isn’t enough to sway you into at least believing in Callahan is an NFL Head Coach, then watch the video above.

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