Another day, another Colts interview. This time around, it’s Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, who is interviewing for Indy’s head coaching position today. The organization’s head coaching search may not be concluding any time soon, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes (on Twitter) that the Colts might not name a head coach until after the Super Bowl.
[RELATED: Poll: Who Will Become Next Colts HC?]
Considering the breadth of Indy’s head coaching search, it’s not a huge surprise that the process may take at least another week. The Colts initially interviewed a league-high 13 candidates for the position, and a good portion of those individuals ended up moving on to the second round. We heard earlier this week that the organization was considering a third round of interviews, although Joel A. Erickson of the Indy Star says a third wave “is far from set in stone.” Erickson also points out that a team hasn’t conducted a third round of HC interviews in nearly four decades, meaning Indy’s search could be bordering on unprecedented.
“Be patient and take your time, and make sure we have a thorough interview with everybody,” GM Chris Ballard previously said of the search (via Erickson). “I don’t care if it takes until mid-February to hire the head coach. It’s about getting it right.”
It was assumed that the process was taking so long thanks in part to Jim Irsay‘s insertion into the second round of interviews; the team owner wasn’t involved in the initial wave of meetings. Albert Breer of TheMMQB tweets that Irsay has spent one-on-one time with the current candidates, and the current round has been described as “creative” and long, with some interviews lasting up to 12 hours.
As our 2023 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker shows, there are currently 10 candidates who have either conducted a second interview or been mentioned as a finalist. This doesn’t include Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who has decided to stay in Dallas.
- Eric Bieniemy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/12; in finalist mix
- Rich Bisaccia, special teams coordinator (Packers): Completed second interview
- Brian Callahan, offensive coordinator (Bengals): Conducted second interview 2/1
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Conducted second interview 1/26
- Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator (Lions): Completed second interview 2/2
- Don Martindale, defensive coordinator (Giants): Conducted second interview
- Raheem Morris, defensive coordinator (Rams): Conducted second interview 1/27
- Jeff Saturday, interim head coach (Colts): Conducted second interview 1/25
- Shane Steichen, offensive coordinator (Eagles): To conduct second interview 2/4
- Bubba Ventrone, special teams coordinator (Colts): Interviewed 1/11; in finalist mix
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Colts plan on hiring Steichen and tearing up to the top pick to get Bryce Young. Young has a similar skill set as Jalen Hurts and Steichen has helped create a perfect system for Hurts in Philly
Steichen and trading up for Young sounds like a very reasonable plan, but Young isn’t all that much like Hurts. He isn’t a dual threat QB.
Young didn’t run much at Alabama due to playing in a pro style offense and having elite wide receivers around him, at least in 2021. He will likely run more in the NFL and has an almost identical 40 time as Hurts
Hurts ran much more when he was at Alabama. If Young has that running skill set, we haven’t seen it. He’s also 30 pounds heavier. Even if it’s true that their 40 times are similar (Do we know that yet?), no one is going to heavily implement designed runs for a QB Young’s size.
Run as in run for his life behind that line?!
If Steichen was smart, he’d wait for a better HC spot next season. Irsay having one on one 12 hour interviews is ridiculous. It’s also a sign of how that clown just can’t let his football people make the football decisions.
Irsay isn’t holding 12 hr one on one interviews, the entire process is taking as much as 12 hrs, a one on one with Irsay is just one part in the process.
“Albert Breer of TheMMQB tweets that Irsay has spent one-on-one time with the current candidates, and the current round has been described as “creative” and long, with some interviews lasting up to 12 hours.”
Read it again.
Just because he spent 1 on 1 time with them, doesn’t mean that time lasted the entire 12 hours.
Read it again – and don’t be stupid
Now that.. was stupid
Pitt took a long time to get their new GM last year. Patience works. Look at Denver, they flipped a 1st & 2nd for the guy they had in 3rd place. D Ryans, & J Harbaugh were their front runners from what I’ve read.
Strange headline. Yes, they may name a head coach after Memorial Day, too
You’re right, of course, but the analogy should include the idea that Colbert was still going to be calling the shots during the scouting and drafting period, successor in place or not
Knowing how important that period is and how every coach has his own views, you’d think the Colts would feel some need to make a decision sooner rather than later
Heather Lyke? Actually, she’s the AD.
Could make HC after SB? Way to go out on a limb there…conversely they could make it prior to the SB.
Ugh, I guess its Steichen.
“Colts Could Name HC After Super Bowl”
They’re going to make the new coach change his name to “LVII”?
Maybe hire Lovie Smith and keep the name.
No, they can’t do that. He’d have to be named “Big Game”
At this point Irsay seems like a career killer for a first time coach. Being part of his circus will leave such a stink on a rookie coach that they’ll never recover. Smart guys who are currently in good situations would be well served to think long and hard about waiting for an opportunity with a reasonably run franchise. In other words..Saturday should jump all over this job as he’s not qualified to begin with.
Irsay wants Jeff but from what I heard Ballard wants Shane or Bienemy
Where are you hearing any of this from? Seems like a certain rumor site might have been on those scoops if they were so available or real.
This makes sense, because if they don’t do it before or during the Super Bowl, and they don’t do it after, they will necessarily never have a head coach again.
NFL could have hosted a Coaching Skills Challenge during the Pro Bowl. Late game Clock Management, Half Time Adjustments and Punishment for Missing Curfew among the competitions…
Kidding of course…..