NFL coaching carousel tracker 2023: Who’s been fired, who’s been hired?
By John Buhler
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. . player. 46. AFC. South. Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts: Frank Reich -> Shane Steichen
While there was no surprise over the Indianapolis Colts moving on from Frank Reich midseason, their impulsive owner Jim Irsay going with Ring of Honor member Jeff Saturday over anybody on Reich’s staff in the interim was not only unprecedented, it was unheard of! Reich needed to go because he was not going to win the AFC South crown after a 3-5-1 start during his fifth season.
Sure, you can say Reich did not have a franchise quarterback during his Indianapolis run, but he did have plenty of talent at the position. From Andrew Luck, to Jacoby Brissett, to Philip Rivers, to Carson Wentz, to Matt Ryan, Reich was unable to win enough games in five seasons to claim a division title. He went 40-33-1 during his Colts tenure, but was never victorious in Jacksonville…
Although there was actually a sliver of hope for Saturday to get the gig full-time, Irsay did his due diligence by conducting an incredibly thorough coaching search. After three rounds of interviews, it became apparent former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen was going to be their guy. Given that Philadelphia played in Super Bowl 57, the Colts needed to wait patiently.
After hiring and firing a former Eagles offensive coordinator, the Colts hired another one. Keep in mind that Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was Reich’s offensive coordinator in Indianapolis before getting his own team two years ago. On paper, this hire could work out, but it still reeks of the impulsiveness that has become commonplace with Irsay. He just wanted a new Reich, apparently.
One thing is for certain, Steichen has to draft a franchise quarterback at No. 4 overall this spring.