'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABiAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABggQAAIBAwMFAQAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwAEEgURIQYHFCIjMQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQYRAAICAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQABREh/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwDOd13F0eylEiaa0ElrOkYijRHRgGKKc22PH6QQQTVxH0lokyLJd3d35DqGmwj9czy2P0HG9KVRb2rW14gWrDHECPQFGH0ppZi5d2bh4OnP/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Indianapolis Colts could be in the market for a new head coach after this season.
Earlier in the year, the team fired Frank Reich and replaced him with former Colts center Jeff Saturday. The bold move certainly left fans and football experts scratching their heads, knowing that Saturday lacked any NFL coaching experience.
Saturday has, so far, compiled a 1-3 record for Indy with the lone victory coming against the struggling Las Vegas Raiders. Two of the three losses were close and Colts fans would like to forget the 54-19 blowout versus the Dallas Cowboys.
Overall, the Indianapolis Colts own a 4-8-1 record, which is disappointing for a team that was expected to win the AFC South this season.
Saturday may wind up becoming Indy’s permanent head coach when it’s all said and done. But then again, he may be replaced by an up-and-coming coordinator or a legend like Sean Payton.
Here are three head coaching candidates the Indianapolis Colts should consider this offseason.
#1 - Eric Bieniemy
Over the last few years, Eric Bieniemy has done a sensational job as the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive coordinator.
Some felt the Chiefs would miss the playoffs after trading star wide receiver Tyreek Hill during the offseason. However, the team hasn’t missed a beat, emerging as one of the best offensive clubs in the NFL.
It’s hard to believe that Bieniemy hasn’t landed a head coaching job yet. That could finally change, though, this upcoming offseason.
If Bieniemy does relocate to Indianapolis, he could definitely help fix the Colts’ struggling offense and get them to where they need to be. He'll have a couple of intriguing pieces to work with in running back Jonathan Taylor, and probably a rookie quarterback like Will Levis or Anthony Richardson.
#2 - Jim Harbaugh
Although Jim Harbaugh has shut down rumors of returning to the NFL, people tend to change their minds sometimes.
We all know that Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay isn’t against hiring former players to coach. So, it wouldn’t shock the world if he pursued Harbaugh, who served as the team’s quarterback before the Peyton Manning era.
Currently the head coach at the University of Michigan, Harbaugh has led the school to back-to-back Big Ten championships.
He coached the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-2014, posting a 44-19-1 record and leading the franchise to a Super Bowl appearance. The 49ers also went to three NFC Championship games during that period.
It remains to be seen whether Harbaugh would leave a good thing at Michigan and head to the Indianapolis Colts if Irsay offered him the job.
#3 - DeMeco Ryans
In each of the last two seasons, the 49ers have lost one of their coordinators to a head coaching position. Robert Saleh went to the New York Jets in 2021 and Mike McDaniel headed to the Miami Dolphins this year.
Current San Francisco defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans is expected to follow suit and would be an ideal head coaching candidate for the Indianapolis Colts.
Under Ryan's leadership, the Niners have been one of the most dominating defensive teams in the league this season.
Hiring an offensive-minded coach to develop a young quarterback probably makes the most sense for the Indianapolis Colts. Yet, Ryan could help take the team’s middle-of-the-pack defense, which includes the likes of Shaquille Leonard (expected to return from injury next season), DeForest Buckner, and Stephon Gilmore to the next level.
