Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo might be proving that statistics are meaningless. None of his defenses over his eight seasons as a DC in the NFL have been elite. Only one ranked in the top half of the league. Perhaps Anarumo is truly getting the most out of the players he has, and he just hasn't had good players.
The Buffalo Bills appear to think so. While they haven't yet hired Indy's defensive coordinator, they think enough of him to interview him for their head coach vacancy, according to NFL insider Mike Garafolo. Buffalo recently fired longtime coach Sean McDermott.
If the Bills hire Anarumo (and to be sure, Buffalo is going to interview a lot of potential candidates for the job), then his first job will be to hire a very good offensive coordinator who can keep quarterback Josh Allen operating at a high level.
Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo set to interview with the Buffalo Bills
Anarumo would finally have a defense with enough talent to excel. In fact, the defensive talent Buffalo has might allow Anarumo to have a top-10 unit. The assumption would be that he would still be very hands-on with the defensive efficiency while trusting his OC to make the offense good.
One might rightly wonder whether Lou Anarumo should take a head coaching position soon, however. He might be on a sinking ship with the Indianapolis Colts.
A fan might assume that, should Indianapolis miss the playoffs again in 2026, general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen would be let go. That might mean Anarumo is looking for a new job, too.
The opposite could also be true. Anarumo might not get hired as a head coach (besides the Buffalo Bills, he has also reportedly interviewed with the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants, but they have both since filled their head coach vacancies), but the Colts could be a huge success next season if the team stays healthier. The team started 7-1 in 2025, after all.
High-end success would also give Lou Anarumo a chance to interview for head coaching jobs. If he doesn't leave Indy this offseason, he might next year. That obviously wouldn't be with the Buffalo Bills, of course.
While Anarumo's defenses haven't produced elite results statistically, he is clearly a well-respected coach. Eventually, a team will steal the Colts' defensive coordinator. He likely deserves a chance elsewhere.