Every Colts head coach ever: Full list

The Indianapolis Colts have been one of the more successful franchises in NFL History since their formation in Baltimore. While head coaches have come and gone, the tradition of winning his largely remained in place despite the shifting landscape around them.

While Colts coaches have certainly had their overall records boosted by the presence of elite quarterbacks like Peyton Manning and Johnny Unitas, these coaches have been able to stand out above the rest by installing winning cultures that stood the test of time.

Unfortunately, it hasn't always been sunshine and rainbows, as there have been a few half-decade stints where both Baltimore and Indianapolis were considered laughingstocks.

Every Indianapolis Colts head coach ever

Tony Dungy, 2002-08: 85 wins

Dungy may be criticized for leaving a lot of meat on the bone, as he only made one Super Bowl during the peak of arguably the game's best quarterback in Peyton Manning. Even with that taken into account, he is still the greatest coach in Colts history with one of the best coaching resumes ever.

Dungy won 12 games in all but one season (his first, when he won 10) and won the division five times. His Super Bowl ring will shut down any arguments that try to defame his coaching ability. Dungy's accomplishments with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Colts helped him become the first Black coach in the modern era to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Ted Marchibroda, 1975-79, 1992-95: 71 wins

Marchibroda had two different stints with the Colts, one in Baltimore and one in Indianapolis. In both destinations he had success. With Bert Jones leading the charge in Baltimore, Marchibroda's Colts won three straight AFC East titles and won at least 10 games in each of these seasons.

Following Ron Meyer in a four-season stint before heading back to Baltimore as Ravens coach, Marchibroda managed to pull off a miracle run to the AFC Championship Game in 1995.

Don Shula, (1963-69): 71 wins

Before Shula became the winningest coach in NFL history on the back of nearly three decades with the Miami Dolphins, he was a terrific leading man in Baltimore. Shula may have had some rocks thrown at him for "not winning the big one" with the Colts, but he never had a losing season in six years at the helm and won double-digit games in a 14-game season four times.

Weeb Ewbank (1954-62): 59-52-1

A Hall of Fame coach who may be best remembered for beating the Colts as head coach of the New York Jets in Super Bowl III, Ewbank won back-to-back NFL championships in 1958 and 1959 over the New York Giants. These wins included the famous "Greatest Game Ever Played" that sparked the NFL's ascension to the country's premier sport.

Chuck Pagano, 2012-17: 53 wins

Pagano is often criticized for being unable to get the most out Andrew Luck when the star quarterback was at his physical peak, and those criticisms have merit. He also overcame leukemia and led the team to three straight 11-5 seasons on Luck's rookie deal. Ryan Grigson deserves more blame for this era's overall results than Pagano.

Frank Reich, 2018-22: 40 wins

The end of Reich's tenure was tough for all involved, and many expected more than one playoff win in five seasons. However, Reich always managed to get solid production from his quarterbacks. One wonders what would happen if Reich didn't have five different Week 1 starters in five seasons.

Ron Meyer, 1986-91: 36 wins

A legendary college coach at SMU, Meyer's 54-50 pro record with the Colts and New England Patriots looks ordinary. However, his trade for college pupil Eric Dickerson gave the Colts a verifiable superstar in Indianapolis. Meyer made the Colts viable in their new home, which had a considerable impact on the franchise (even if his tenure ended poorly).

Jim Mora, 1998-2001: 32 wins

The famed "playoffs?!" coach never won a playoff game with the Colts, but he did help turn Manning into a success early in his career. Going from 3-13 in 1998 to 13-3 in 1999 shows Mora's ability to raise a team's floor, though someone like Dungy was ultimately needed to break through.

Jim Caldwell, 2009-2011: 26 wins

Few coaches have 14-2 and 2-14 seasons under their belt, but Caldwell does. Caldwell picked up right where Dungy left off, as Manning was thriving and the Colts were contenders. However, Manning's neck injury caused everything to fall apart in 2011, which led to his firing.

After he had some success in Detroit and continues to find assistant coach work to this day, Caldwell's reputation as an elite offensive mind keeps growing.

Don McCafferty, 1970-72: 22 wins

McCafferty's story is short, odd, and tragic. A champion who took home a Super Bowl V win against the Cowboys, McCafferty would go 10-4 in 1971. Robert Irsay took control of the Colts in 1972 and ordered McCafferty to bench Johnny Unitas after a 1-4 start.

McCafferty resisted and was fired by GM Joe Thomas. After a 6-7-1 season in 1973 as head coach of the Detroit Lions, McCafferty suffered a heart attack and died in 1974 at 53 years old. McCafferty had a quick tenure, but he is remembered forever as a Super Bowl winner.

Lindy Infante, 1996-97: 12 wins

A great offensive coordinator, Infante was just 36-60 in six seasons as a head coach with the Colts and Green Bay Packers. While he did lead the Colts a 9-7 record and a playoff birth in 1997 with Jim Harbaugh at quarterback, as 3-13 season afterwards led to his firing and the drafting of Peyton Manning.

Frank Kush, 1982-84: 11 wins

The early 80s were the black hole of Colts football, and Kush may be the main reason why. A harsh taskmaster who scared away John Elway in the NFL Draft, Kush presided over a winless 0-8-1 season. No one was sad to see him go, as he presided over the last dying gasps of the Baltimore Colts.

Every Indianapolis Colts head coach in order