Frank Reich joining the Panthers could have a huge impact on Colts coaching search
By Noah Compton
With Frank Reich now the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, he could impact the 2023 coaching staff for the Indianapolis Colts.
It was recently announced that former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts for the past 4.5 years, Frank Reich, will be headed back to Carolina to become the next head coach of the Carolina Panthers. As the first starting quarterback in Panthers’ franchise history, Reich is once again set to lead a new era for Carolina. However, this almost directly affects how Indy brass will operate in terms of constructing its next coaching staff— which obviously begins with anointing its next head coach.
It’s not the head-coaching role that Reich’s hiring will affect, but rather, it’s the potential of who of the current Colts’ coaching staff Reich will poach to join him in Carolina. For example, last offseason, when longtime Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus was hired as the head coach of the Chicago Bears, he brought linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi, cornerbacks coach James Rowe, and safeties coach Alan Williams with him to Chicago.
To refresh your memory, Frank Reich’s Indianapolis coaching staff was comprised of each of the previously mentioned coaches, including Eberflus, who all followed Eberflus to Chicago this past season. That’s not to say Reich plans on poaching any of Eberflus’ staff, but more so, he may be interested in some of the remaining Colts’ coaches who he became close with.
Could Frank Reich take some of the Colts coaches?
Here’s a quick look at some of the candidates of the current Colts staff who Reich may look to poach:
- Special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone
- Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley
- Offensive line coach Chris Strausser
- Pass Game Specialist/Asst. QBs coach Parks Frazier
- Wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne
This isn’t to shame Reich for this possibility, as these types of practices are commonplace in the NFL. This is more so to provide perspective as to why, amidst this coaching portal we’re in, it is more important than ever to hire a head coach that has fruitful connections so that a potentially gutted coaching staff can be adequately replenished.
Colts must hire a coach that can put together a full staff
As it stands, Colts general manager Chris Ballard has compiled a list of seven candidates who are set for a slate of second interviews for Indy’s opening head coaching gig. Assuming that each of these candidates has relayed their plans for what their hypothetical coaching staff will be comprised of, only so many can both be qualified for the job, as well as have enough connections to fill out their staff appropriately.
As much of a factor as it was beforehand, it’s even more pertinent now that whoever Jim Irsay and Chris Ballard elect to hire as the team’s next head coach needs to provide a sustainable plan as far as the entirety of the coaching staff goes.
