Josh McDaniels named coach of Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts made it official today, announcing that Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is their new head coach. The move reportedly had been agreed to three weeks ago, but could not be confirmed until the Patriots season had concluded.
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It will be McDaniels’s second shot at a head coaching gig, as he previously coached the Denver Broncos from 2009-10. The team went 8-8 in his first season, but he was fired in 2010 after the Broncos got off to a 3-9 start.
McDaniels will take over an Indianapolis squad that went 4-12 this past season, as franchise quarterback Andrew Luck missed the entire campaign recovering from shoulder surgery. Luck has missed 26 games over the last three seasons. The Colts have not reached the playoffs since the 2014 season.
It was reported last week that Luck was ready to head to California to begin a throwing program. Among the people Luck will work with is Tom House, who works with Tom Brady.
McDaniels had two stints in New England. He joined the Patriots in 2001 and worked his way up to offensive coordinator in 2006. In 2007, the Patriots offense exploded, with Brady throwing a league-record 50 touchdown passes.
McDaniels returned to the organization in 2012, replacing Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator. The Patriots reached the AFC Championship game all six years since then, making three trips to the Super Bowl and winning two titles.
