Colts are preparing to do something unprecedented with their coaching search
The Indianapolis Colts are still searching for a new coach and they are preparing to do something that no team has done in recent memory.
During Chris Ballard’s end-of-season press conference, he promised that the Indianapolis Colts would hold a thorough coaching search that won’t be rushed. He even admitted that he doesn’t care if the search takes until mid-February, he just wants the franchise to find the right person. While it may have seemed like Ballard was just trying to say the right things, he wasn’t exaggerating one bit. The Colts have interviewed an extensive list of candidates and are deep into a second round of interviews. With the Super Bowl just over a week away, it doesn’t seem like Indy will be wrapping its search up anytime soon.
The search started with 14 initial candidates receiving interviews. Indy then narrowed the search for second interviews. The reduced list is currently at eight candidates, still a relatively high number. As the Colts are concluding the second round of interviews, it’s being reported that Indianapolis is likely to do something that no team has done before, at least not in a very long time: host a third round of interviews.
On Thursday afternoon, NFL insiders, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported that the Colts are considering the rare third round of interviews. This would see the current list of candidates cut down again before a few coaches return to Indy for a third, and likely (hopefully) final round of interviews. From that list of finalists, Indy’s next coach would be selected.
From NFL Now: A third(!) round for the #Colts? pic.twitter.com/3HI48yjHSl
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 2, 2023
Colts considering a third round of interviews
Garafolo also reported that Indy’s interview process isn’t just thorough in the number of candidates but that Indianapolis’ process is actually really in-depth, with multiple candidates having “long in-person interviews (around 12 hours in some cases).” The Colts are seemingly doing everything possible to make sure they make the right decision.
As far as the actual candidates, Indy has held second interviews with Jeff Saturday, Denver Broncos DC Ejiro Evero, Los Angeles Rams DC Raheem Morris, New York Giants DC Wink Martindale, Philadelphia Eagles OC Shane Steichen, Green Bay Packers STC Rich Bisaccia, Cincinnati Bengals OC Brian Callahan, and Detroit Lions DC Aaron Glenn. Kansas City Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy is also reported to still be in the race but he hasn’t officially been scheduled for a second interview yet.
While it would’ve been great if Indy already selected a coach and the team started focusing on the other priorities of the offseason, the Colts’ approach shouldn’t be faulted. The organization is essentially at a crossroads as a franchise and the decisions Indianapolis makes this offseason regarding the head coach it chooses and the quarterback it selects in the draft can have a huge impact on the direction of the franchise for the next decade. The Colts should be laboring over the decision so that they can make the right one.
