The Indianapolis Colts have zagged instead of zigged once again. Less than 24 hours after stunning the sports universe by naming former Colts player Jeff Saturday as their interim coach, they promoted Parks Frazier to de facto offensive coordinator.
That means that the Colts’ two most important decision-makers on offense for the rest of the season have a combined five years of NFL coaching experience between them — and none with nearly the demands that their current roles hold.
Parks Frazier Will Call Plays for Indianapolis Colts
If you’ve never heard of Frazier, you’re not alone. Most of the NFL universe went rushing to Google Tuesday after NFL Network announced Saturday’s decision.
Frazier, 30, was in his first year as Indianapolis’ passing game specialist/assistant quarterbacks coach when the man who gave him his big break — Frank Reich — was fired.
Reich in 2018 hired Frazier as his assistant, a position the Murray State graduate held for two seasons. In that role, Frazier helped his boss come up with the weekly practice plan, call sheets, and scripts.
Reich promoted Frazier in 2020 to offensive quality control coach, and then again in 2021 to assistant quarterbacks coach. Then, last offseason, he added the passing game specialist title to the young assistant’s résumé.
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The results haven’t been great in 2022, with the Colts ranking 28th in yards per pass (5.9), 25th in interception rate (2.9%), 27th in team passer rating (82.5), and last in scoring (14.7).
Saturday — who before this week was never on an NFL coaching staff — picked Frazier over more established internal candidates Scottie Montgomery (running backs coach), Klayton Adams (tight ends), and Chris Strausser (offensive line).
Frazier, a native of Corinth, Mississippi, was mostly a backup quarterback for three seasons at Murray State. After his playing days ended in 2014, he had brief stints as a defensive assistant at Middle Tennessee State and Samford.
Just seven under-the-radar years later, he’s been given the keys to an NFL offense.
One more fun fact: Reich was actually the officiant for Frazier’s wedding. Parks and his wife, Caroline, have a son, Trace.