Josh McDaniels changes his mind, will stay with the Patriots
The same day the Indianapolis Colts announced the hire of Josh McDaniels, the team also announced his departure.
Per an official statement released Tuesday night, McDaniels will no longer succeed Chuck Pagano as Colts head coach.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who first reported McDaniels’ decision to withdraw, the 41-year-old will remain as New England’s offensive coordinator after team owner Robert Kraft “ultimately wound up sweetening his contract.”
Stunner: Patriots’ OC Josh McDaniels has decided NOT to accept Colts’ HC job and will remain with New England, sources told ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 7, 2018
In the past 48 hours, Patriots owner Robert Kraft began talking with Josh McDaniels and ultimately wound up sweetening his contract, helping to entice him to remain in New England, per sources. Bill Belichick has his OC back.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 7, 2018
Text from one league source: “That’s Kraft putting it to the Colts again. He will forever try and (expletive) that place ever since deflate gate.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 7, 2018
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo confirmed Schefter’s initial report and said special teams coach Joe Judge will remain with the Patriots as well. Judge had been linked to the Colts but, unlike McDaniels, hadn’t been announced as a hire.
Josh McDaniels withdraws from Colts job, source confirms @AdamSchefter report. Bananas.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 7, 2018
Patriots special teams coach Joe Judge is staying with the team, source says. He won’t be following Josh McDaniels to Indy because, ya know, Josh McDaniels isn’t going to Indy.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 7, 2018
ESPN’s Mike Reiss reports “clarity on Bill Belichick’s status in New England” and “stability for family” were among the top factors for McDaniels’ change of heart. Belichick is “locked in” to return as head coach of the Patriots, according to Reiss.
Source close to situation says clarity on Bill Belichick’s status in New England (Belichick is locked in to coach Patriots in 2018) and stability for family among top factors for Josh McDaniels’ sudden change.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) February 7, 2018
Pro Football Talk also reported Belichick is not leaving.
Source: Bill Belichick is not leaving the Patriots. Josh McDaniels simply decided to stay.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) February 7, 2018
McDaniels was New England’s offensive coordinator for three seasons before becoming head coach of the Broncos in 2009. He went 8-8 his first season in Denver but was fired midway through his second year after posting a 3-9 record. Following one season with the Rams, McDaniels then returned to New England as offensive coordinator in 2011 and has since remained with the Patriots.
