The Indianapolis Colts (4-12-1) concluded their season Sunday with a loss against the Houston Texans (3-13-1). Now, it’s time to find a permanant head coach.
The Colts parted ways with former head coach Frank Reich during the middle of the 2022 season, and Jeff Saturday’s tenure as interim head coach came to an end Sunday, riding a seven-game losing streak.
It will be interesting to see how this process goes for the Colts. It will certainly be a collective effort between owner Jim Irsay and general manager Chris Ballard. However, the former has been exerting more power and influence on the team’s decisions recently, and it’s unlikely he will back down now.
Considering the events that unfolded during the 2022 season, this decision could very well be Irsay’s to make while Ballard gives some insight—assuming he’s still around.
There are several ways the Colts can go. They could bring in another offensive mind considering how historically bad the unit was this season or they could bring in a defensive mind with more experience.
Here’s a quick list of candidates for the Colts to consider:
Jim Harbaugh
Current Role: University of Michigan HC
Though Harbaugh recently stated he plans to stay at Michigan, potential NCAA violations may force him back to the NFL. He’ll have plenty of suitors, and the Colts would likely be the favorites to land him. He has extensive Colts ties from his playing days, and he seems to be the type of coach Irsay would want after Frank Reich. He’s had success as a head coach in the NFL so Harbaugh is definitely at the top of the list.
Leslie Frazier
Current Role: Buffalo Bills DC
Frazier has been linked to the Colts already as a candidate to be the next head coach. He has a history with the Colts as an assistant coach and has previous experience working as a head coach with the Minnesota Vikings (2011-2013). Frazier should be an expected candidate to get an interview during the process.
Steve Wilks
Current Role: Carolina Panthers interim HC
There’s a chance the Colts don’t even get the opportunity to interview Wilks. Depending on how Week 18 goes, the Panthers may want to retain Wilks considering how well he’s done after taking over the team midseason. An older defensive-minded head coach seems to be what Ballard and Irsay will be looking for, and Wilks has done a solid job reviving a Panthers team that was dead in the water.
Brian Flores
Current Role: Senior defensive assistant, linebackers coach
Whether NFL owners will give Flores another chance at being a head coach remains to be seen, but he should very well be on the list of candidates. He had back-to-back winning seasons in Miami before he was ultimately on the losing end of a power struggle. He proved he can be a quality head coach quickly during his time with the Dolphins and could be the kind of coach they’re looking for.
Kellen Moore
Current Role: Dallas Cowboys OC
Moore is one of the young, bright offensive minds in the NFL. He’s been the offensive coordinator for the Cowboys over the last four seasons, and he’s led an innovative and explosive attack since taking over. It doesn’t seem likely that the Colts would go the younger route when it comes to a head coach, but Moore deserves consideration for what he’s done with the Cowboys offense.
Sean Payton
Current Role: Retired/FOX Sports NFL analyst
I wouldn’t expect this one to happen, but he’s one of the most popular names on the market, and he is the type of coach Irsay would want. There are two issues. One, Payton may not want to deal with the circus that Indy has become, and their lack of quarterback (right now) could dissuade him even more. Two, the Colts would have to trade for Payton. The Saints are looking for a first-round pick, and it’s simply not worth it to send a top-five selection for a new head coach.
DeMeco Ryans
Current Role: San Francisco 49ers DC
Ryans will likely be one of the most popular names when it comes to head coach candidates. He’s been the defensive coordinator for the 49ers over the last two seasons, and the 2022 season has featured his unit being arguably the best in the NFL. Also known for his strong leadership, Ryans should be a priority target for the Colts.
Shane Steichen
Current Role: Philadelphia Eagles OC
Another option that’s less likely but would be interesting. Steichen is another young head coach rising through the ranks. He has served as the Eagles offensive coordinator under Nick Sirianni for the last two seasons, but he also spent extensive time with Philip Rivers as his quarterbacks coach for four seasons (2016-2019).
Ken Dorsey
Current Role: Buffalo Bills OC
Dorsey’s run with the Bills will get him plenty of opportunities to grab a head coaching gig. A younger offensive mind may not be the direction the Colts go in, especially after Irsay’s meddling became present this season. Dorsey has worked closely with Josh Allen and under Brandon Beane, one of the most respected general managers in the NFL.
Ben Johnson
Current Role: Detroit Lions OC
One of the biggest surprises from the 2022 season has been the Lions offense. The Lions have been one of the most explosive units in the entire NFL, both in passing and rushing. While it’s unlikely Johnson will be high up on the list of candidates considering he’s only been an offensive coordinator for one season, he’s learned under a group of veteran coaches that includes Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn.
Jared Mayo
Current Role: New England Patriots ILB coach
Another dark-horse candidate, Mayo could be the latest coach from the Bill Belichick tree to get a chance to be a head coach. It would be surprising if the Colts went hard after Mayo, but he played eight seasons with the Patriots and has been the inside linebackers coach under Belichick for the last four seasons. This would be a pretty big surprise, but his name could heat up in coaching circles.
Dan Quinn
Current Role: Dallas Cowboys DC
His collapse in the Super Bowl will always be what he’s remembered for, but Quinn has revived his career with the Cowboys. They have one of the best defenses in the NFL, and while it helps to have Micah Parsons, Quinn is a candidate the Colts would likely consider. He has experience as a head coach and is a defensive-minded head coach.
Jeff Saturday
Current Role: Indianapolis Colts interim HC
As much as it shouldn’t even be a consideration, we have to acknowledge the possibility of Saturday returning. Irsay’s affinity for the nostalgia of the early 2000s team will stay strong, and Saturday has the type of demeanor Irsay wants in his head coach. Regardless of how objectively bad Saturday has been as an interim head coach, there’s certainly a chance he becomes a finalist.
Gus Bradley
Current Role: Indianapolis Colts DC
It’s difficult to imagine Bradley wanting to return. They didn’t even give him the opportunity to take over as the interim head coach once Reich was fired. But they should at least request to interview him. Though Bradley’s defense faltered toward the end, that was mostly due to injuries and the inept offense gassing the unit, the defense is what kept the Colts afloat for the majority of the season. Bradley probably won’t be heavily considered, but his name could get some involvement.
