The NFL playoffs are an exciting time for teams participating in the league’s final countdown of games, but it’s also a time of nervous optimism for teams searching for their next head coach. The Indianapolis Colts have one of five head coach openings this offseason after firing Frank Reich in early November. They’ve quickly assimilated a large number of candidates.
On top of tracking the latest Colts head coach rumors and interviews, we’re also going to rank Indianapolis’ head coach candidates we know of thus far. It’s hard to know exactly who will be great and who will bust with their opportunity, but we’ll work with what we know and project how each would perform if they earn the Colts’ head coaching job.
Colts Head Coach Candidates Ranked
We know of 13 head coach candidates who have interviewed or have scheduled interviews with the Colts thus far. Let’s dive into our rankings from the worst candidates to the best.
1) Mike Kafka, Giants Offensive Coordinator
You want problem solvers as head coaches, and Mike Kafka has quickly shown that talent in his first year with the Giants. Learning under Andy Reid and Brian Daboll throughout his early career, Kafka has maximized the talent he’s worked with. Just this year, Kafka has established Daniel Jones as a legitimate asset for the Giants and uncovered wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins as a starter moving forward.
Though Kafka is only 35, he’s rapidly ascending because what he’s putting on film is that good. Even if it’s a year early, the long-term prospect of Kafka is tantalizing.
2) DeMeco Ryans, 49ers Defensive Coordinator
I’d normally prefer a team without a quarterback in place to stray away from hiring a defensive-minded head coach who needs to then also get a great OC, but DeMeco Ryans has a fantastic candidacy.
He should be promoted this offseason, or else teams are missing out on someone with all the ingredients needed to be a long-time head coach. Ryans was a leader on the field in his playing career and has been leading a top defense in San Francisco. It’s fair to be concerned as to whether he’ll replicate the defenses he’s produced with the 49ers without their talent, but the Colts have a great foundation for him to build around.
3) Ben Johnson, Lions Offensive Coordinator
Ben Johnson is a young offensive mind with a short résumé to rely upon. The first-year offensive coordinator is only 36 but did a marvelous job in Detroit this past season. He crafted an offense that finished in the top five of points and yards created.
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There weren’t many offenses that boasted a scheme as diverse and strong as the Lions did this season. It’d be risky to give him more control so early in his career, but if Johnson has the connections to bring a strong staff with him, he could be the best hire of anyone on this list long term.
Update: Johnson retracted his name from all head coach searches in 2023 as he returns to the Lions.
4) Shane Steichen, Eagles Offensive Coordinator
It would make sense for the Colts to take one concern away from their head coaching search by hiring a young offensive mind to help develop their next QB. Shane Steichen has done well to build an Eagles offense around dual-threat Jalen Hurts, showing a strong ability to overcome his limitations and accentuate the personnel in place.
No other coach has been able to find a sustainably effective RPO-based passing attack, but Steichen found the right balance in Philadelphia. The main question will be whether he can have as much success without all of the great pieces in place that the Eagles gave him. If Steichen can rejuvenate the Colts’ offensive line and find a franchise quarterback, he’d be a great hire.
5) Ejiro Evero, Broncos Defensive Coordinator
Ejiro Evero knocked the opportunity to coach the Broncos’ defense out of the park this last season, outperforming his predecessor Vic Fangio. The 42-year-old produced a defense that was above average in every major statistical measure in his first year.
Evero’s background is especially intriguing. He coached under influential staffs that featured Jim Harbaugh, Dom Capers, Wade Phillips, and Raheem Morris. Like the other defensive coordinators on this list, he’ll need to prove he has a sensical plan to revamp the weak Colts offense.
6) Dan Quinn, Cowboys Defensive Coordinator
This is where the candidates get less inspiring. Quinn was fine in Atlanta, producing a 43-42 record over five-plus seasons. Most notably, he led the Falcons to a Super Bowl appearance and never had a record below 7-9 in any full year he coached.
However, Quinn has only been a defensive coordinator for four seasons between his two stints in Seattle and Dallas. Those units have been very good under his watch, but Atlanta’s defense was often a sieve. He’d benefit from the Colts defensive talent more than Atlanta’s weak unit but I think more mediocrity would be in their future with Quinn in charge.
7) Eric Bieniemy, Chiefs Offensive Coordinator
There’s not a coach in the NFL who has interviewed more often than Eric Bieniemy has, as he’s completed 15 interviews with 14 different teams over the last four seasons. While there’s been much hand-wringing over the fact Bieniemy continues to be passed up, it’s clear he’s either lacking something on his résumé or doesn’t impress in his interviews. The fact he doesn’t call plays in Kansas City is a major wart, however.
I think it’d be beneficial for Bieniemy to leave the Chiefs for an OC job where he can call the plays and remove the stigma that Reid and Patrick Mahomes are why he’s successful in his role. Bieniemy’s not a bad candidate, but he also doesn’t have a résumé that screams he’s ready for a promotion.
8) Wink Martindale, Giants Defensive Coordinator
After being let go from the Ravens while John Harbaugh sought to change the philosophy of his defense, Wink Martindale quickly landed with Daboll and the Giants. Martindale’s been an immediate success with a young corps of players that had been more individually talented than a cohesive unit prior to his arrival. That’s the mark of a good coordinator.
The question is whether Martindale is ready for a step up. The 59-year-old would also need a good plan to fix Indianapolis’ offense.
9) Raheem Morris, Rams Defensive Coordinator
The former Buccaneers head coach is starting to receive interest in another top gig this offseason thanks to a deep well of experience to rely upon. Morris has been coaching in the NFL since 2002 and has learned from an impressive array of defensive minds. However, Morris’ defenses aren’t generally that impressive.
He hasn’t produced a defense that finished above 15th in points allowed since 2010. From that standpoint, I don’t see a strong argument as to why he would get this job, but Morris’ personality and leadership could be overriding factors.
10) Aaron Glenn, Lions Defensive Coordinator
A 15-year NFL cornerback who just completed his second season as the Lions’ defensive coordinator, Aaron Glenn is part of one of the most likable coaching staffs in the league.
Glenn, however, hasn’t produced on-field success despite being a familiar face and name. Detroit has ranked 31st and 28th in points allowed over his two seasons in charge of the defense.
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It seems early for Glenn to get another promotion based on how his unit has performed. He’s used nice wrinkles to help Aidan Hutchinson develop, for example, but his competition has been able to maximize their available talent or be in better situations thus far.
11) Brian Callahan, Bengals Offensive Coordinator
The Bengals have boasted a solid offense under Callahan, but the 38-year-old hasn’t been the play-caller. Still, Callahan is a legacy as Bill Callahan’s son. It doesn’t hurt to interview someone who has helped develop Joe Burrow but it’s also hard to know exactly what his impact has been in a loaded Cincinnati unit.
12) Bubba Ventrone, Colts Special Teams Coordinator
We don’t know a lot about Bubba Ventrone other than players reportedly liked the special team’s coordinator. The 40-year-old played nine seasons in the NFL as a safety before starting his coaching career in New England. He’s been in Indianapolis for the last five seasons, producing one of the less effective kick and punt-return units in the league.
13) Jeff Saturday, Colts Interim Head Coach
It’s hard to be supportive of hiring someone as the full-time head coach after they went 1-7 in their stint and was coaching high school football prior to being named the interim head coach.
Jeff Saturday was a phenomenal center with Indianapolis, and it’s a testament to how much Colts owner Jim Irsay respects him that he gave him the opportunity to start with. However, trusting Saturday as the top man without NFL coaching experience would be reckless.