Colts continue their never-ending coaching search by giving an eighth candidate a second interview
The Indianapolis Colts are continuing their second round of interviews by bringing in Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
Entering the offseason, five NFL teams had coaching vacancies: the Indianapolis Colts, the Carolina Panthers, the Arizona Cardinals, the Denver Broncos, and the Houston Texans. Carolina has already hired Frank Reich to be its next head coach and the Texans recently hired DeMeco Ryans while the Broncos made a trade for Sean Payton. Arizona is yet to name a coach and the Colts are busy interviewing every possible candidate in the league.
After an extensive list of 14 initial candidates, Indianapolis has narrowed its search for second interviews. Indy narrowed its pool to a not-so-small eight candidates (for now, more candidates could be coming). The latest candidate to receive a second interview from the Colts is Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. In the second round of interviews, Glenn joins Jeff Saturday, Ejiro Evero, Wink Martindale, Raheem Morris, Shane Steichen, Rich Bisaccia, and Brian Callahan.
There have also been reports that Indianapolis still has an interest in Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. If he does officially get a second interview, he’ll be the ninth candidate to do so. It’s unclear if the Colts will host a third round of interviews or if they will go straight from nine to one candidate.
The Colts are bringing in Lions DC Aaron Glenn for a second interview tomorrow for their vacant head coaching position, source says.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) February 1, 2023
Colts host Aaron Glenn for a second interview
As far as Aaron Glenn, he’s been somewhat of a surprising candidate. His most recent role was defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions. In 2022, the Lions allowed 392.4 yards a game, the most of any team. Usually, the coordinators from the best units are the top candidates for head coaching jobs. However, Glenn is a respected leader with great NFL experience. Glenn played in the league from 1994 to 2008 and has been coaching since 2014.
Additionally, the Colts don’t seem necessarily too football-scheme-focused with their coaching search. Based on the list of candidates, it seems like Indy is seeking the best leader for the team, not necessarily a coach that’s a play-calling mastermind. The Colts may be looking for a coach that is more of a CEO or manager that can lead and appoint all of the right people in the right places to help the team succeed.
While this may seem like a never-ending process, Indianapolis shouldn’t really be faulted for the depth of its coaching search. Oftentimes, teams enter the coaching search with an end already in mind, and that’s a disservice to the team but especially to all other candidates. The Colts are taking a thorough approach and leaving no stone unturned, rightfully. This is a pivotal decision for the franchise and its direction, so it’s important that Indy gets it right.
