Who’re the most productive head coaches in Indianapolis Colts franchise historical past?
Breaking down those coaches will take you on a travel down reminiscence lane.
For the needs of this newsletter, we will be able to restrict the scope to coaches in Indianapolis Colts workforce historical past – the boys who referred to as the photographs for the Horseshoe from 1984 to the current day.
We can additionally rank the coaches on their respective information and long-term have an effect on at the franchise.
3. Frank Reich (2018 – Provide Day)
Admittedly, this one was once a tricky name – 3rd spot was once a toss-up amongst Frank Reich, Chuck Pagano, and Jim Caldwell.
Caldwell received 24 video games in his first two seasons with the Colts from 2009 to 2010.
He additionally guided the Horseshoe to Tremendous Bowl XLIV – a stinging 31-17 loss to Drew Brees‘ New Orleans Saints.
On the other hand, take into accout Caldwell inherited Tony Dungy‘s core nucleus that incorporated Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Joseph Addai, Dwight Freeney, Adam Vinatieri, and Robert Mathis.
He had a cast veteran crew that was once a perennial Tremendous Bowl contender.
Alas, Caldwell’s training profession in Indy ended on a bitter word when Manning ignored all the 2011 NFL season because of a neck damage.
The outcome was once predictable: the Colts received simply two video games and promptly began the “Suck for Good fortune” marketing campaign.
Input Pagano.
With Andrew Good fortune below heart, Pagano received 33 video games in his first 3 seasons in Indy.
He guided them to a few postseason appearances right through that period of time.
Sadly, the “Chuckstrong” generation went into free-fall mode from 2015 to 2017 – the Colts averaged slightly seven wins according to season right through that extend.
Extra from my contemporary sitdown with #Colts trainer Frank Reich, who says: “There’s without a doubt it is a championship workforce in 2022. You get those prime expectancies, which might be excellent and it’s suitable. However there’s a large number of issues that experience to head proper.” @nflnetwork @NFLTotalAccess %.twitter.com/j0rLBY9dpy
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 2, 2022
Reich will get the threshold over Caldwell and Pagano as a result of he has needed to bear the Colts’ maddening quarterback carousel since Good fortune hung up his cleats in 2019.
Caldwell had Manning for 2 seasons – the latter sat out the 2011 NFL marketing campaign.
Alternatively, Pagano had Good fortune for 5 seasons – Good fortune ignored all the 2017 NFL season.
Reich?
He has had Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, and Carson Wentz play quarterback prior to now 3 seasons on my own.
To his credit score, the Horseshoe nonetheless controlled to moderate 9 wins according to 12 months from 2019 to 2021.
Positive, Reich’s competitive calls on fourth down on occasion will get him in bother.
Give him credit score, despite the fact that – the person is a chance taker.
Now that Reich has 2016 NFL MVP Matt Ryan and a powerful NFL MVP candidate in Jonathan Taylor, he may take the Colts to unheard of heights this season and past.
2. Jim Mora (1998 – 2001)
Jim Mora’s 3 predecessors – Ron “Slick” Meyer, Ted Marchibroda, and Lindy Infante – couldn’t get the Colts over the hump right through their respective tenures
It doesn’t matter what Meyer, Marchibroda, and Infante did, Indy couldn’t to find its mojo on a constant foundation.
Mora, Manning’s first head trainer within the NFL, promptly modified all that.
Whilst Colts enthusiasts would somewhat overlook Mora’s first season in 1998 (3-13) and ultimate season in 2001 (6-10), he set the tone for the Dungy generation and the franchise’s profitable tactics within the 2000s.
Mora guided Indy to a gaudy 13-3 win-loss file in 1999.
It grew to become out the purchase of long run Corridor of Reputation operating again Edgerrin James was once what the Colts badly wanted that 12 months.
With Edge on board, Indy made consecutive postseason appearances in 1999 and 2000.
The ones groups’ core incorporated Manning, James, Harrison, and tight finish Marcus Pollard.
Mora in spite of everything were given the Colts over the postseason hump.
Colts Country will ceaselessly keep in mind Mora for his epic “Playoffs?!” rant in 2001.
On the other hand, they must additionally keep in mind him for atmosphere the tone for the Colts’ dominance in next years.
1. Tony Dungy (2002 – 2008)
This one was once a no brainer from the get-go.
No different trainer in Colts franchise historical past helped the workforce assert its dominance over the contest greater than Dungy.
Dungy revitalized the Colts, a vulnerable defensive squad, along with his Tampa 2 protection when he took over the reins in 2002.
The consequences have been not anything in need of impressive.
With Dungy calling the photographs from 2002 to 2008, the Horseshoe averaged an awesome 12 wins according to season.
15 years in the past lately, Peyton Manning led the #Colts to a Tremendous Bowl win in opposition to the #Bears.
It was once the first SB to function an African-American head trainer, with Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith %.twitter.com/j0XwEvaY5m
— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) February 4, 2022
The Colts additionally received 5 consecutive AFC South department titles and Tremendous Bowl XLI – the franchise’s first Vince Lombardi Trophy since relocating to Indy in 1984 – in 2006.
Dungy and Manning joined forces and promptly grew to become basketball-crazy Indiana right into a soccer state whilst their NBA opposite numbers, the Indiana Pacers, struggled because the Dungy generation wound down.
Lengthy tale quick, Tony Dungy, a person of prime personality, helped modified the Colts’ identification and grew to become them into winners.
That’s why he’s the most productive trainer in Indianapolis Colts franchise historical past.
