The Indianapolis Colts have their new head coach – New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
The two sides verbally agreed to the move back in mid-January, but had to wait to for the Patriots’ season to end to make it official.
This is the second head coaching stint for McDaniels.
In 2009, he was hired by the Denver Broncos to replace legendary coach Mike Shanahan at just 32-years old. Right out of the gate, McDaniels made waves – trading the apathetic quarterback Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears for Kyle Orton and multiple high draft picks.
In his first year, McDaniels led Denver to an 8-8 record.
Similarly, in 2010, Josh McDaniels traded another one of Denver’s best players – diva wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the Miami Dolphins for a 2nd round draft pick. It’s obvious that McDaniels was taking the “Bill Belichick no nonsense approach” to the roster by dispelling bad character guys (Cutler and Marshall). But, little did McDaniels know, he would soon be a former Bronco himself.
After a 3-9 record, McDaniels was fired midseason by owner Pat Bowlen.
Josh McDaniels inherits a Colts roster that needs improvement virtually everywhere. But, if quarterback Andrew Luck can get healthy, McDaniels has a real chance to redeem himself of his previous head coaching failures.