The Indianapolis Colts don't know who they're going to hire as their next full-time head coach. Or, if they do, they're ready to tell us. But they know who they're not going to hire.
Calls have begun going out from Indianapolis informing candidates that they're not getting the job.
Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan was told he’s been eliminated from the Colts search, per source. @MikeSilver reported (and I’ve confirmed) Giants DC Wink Martindale was told the same.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 10, 2023
Callahan also was up for the Cardinals job, is clearly a name to watch for 2024.
#Colts have begun narrowing down the field. Giants OC Mike Kafka, a finalist in AZ, is out of the running in Indy, per source -- as is Bengals OC Brian Callahan (per @AlbertBreer) and Giants DC Wink Martingale (per @MikeSilver)
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 10, 2023
Indy's long, winding search appears closer
Indianapolis cast a wide net for their next head coach. From the reported candidates, those still in the running are Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, LA Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Green Bay Packers special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia, and Colts interim head coach Jeff Saturday.
The Colts fired Frank Reich on Nov. 7, which allowed the club eight games to evaluate Saturday, plus a month to observe him leading the team through the offseason, such that an interim head coach of a non-playoff team can in these circumstances. They've also had three months to do background work on the field of outside candidates.
GM Chris Ballard has taken pride in managing a thorough search. The Colts and Cardinals are the only clubs yet to hire head coaches in the 2023 cycle.
Perhaps the search has been so meticulous because he wants to present an array of candidates as a means of talking owner Jim Irsay out of promoting Saturday to the full-time job. Or, perhaps the search has been so thorough to throw up the appearance that the team turned over every rock before eventually promoting Saturday.
Either way, this three-month saga should be over soon.
In the meantime, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.