Coaching Staff News and Rumors

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

Perhaps a return of Jim Bob Cooter?

Rapoport indicates the Colts are targeting him to interview for the Offensive Coordinator position. Reportedly the Bucs and Panthers were also showing interest in him this off-season although the Bucs filled their OC position last night with someone else.


https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1626252301051604997

The Colts are requesting Jaguars passing game coordinator Jim Bob Cooter for their OC job under Shane Steichen, source said. He’s had several requests

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

https://twitter.com/NateAtkins_/status/1626263352832933889

Expect more of these to trickle out as Shane Steichen gets rolling on hiring his offensive staff.

OL coach might be the most important one, and I'm told Eagles assistant Roy Istvan is a top candidate.

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

Another candidate for the Offensive Coordinator position:

https://twitter.com/JFowlerESPN/status/1626405896539578368

Colts requested Ravens wide receivers coach Tee Martin to interview for offensive coordinator role, per source.

[YDFL Commish]

Another candidate for the Offensive Coordinator position:

https://twitter.com/JFowlerESPN/status/1626405896539578368

No to Tee Martin. How many WR's did he develop with the Ravens? Name one?

[Colts And Orioles]

Another candidate for the Offensive Coordinator position:


Colts requested Ravens wide receivers coach l Tee Martin l to interview for offensive coordinator role, per source.






o


Martin was Peyton Manning's successor as the starting quarterback at the University of Tennessee ...... Martin led them to an undefeated season and a national championship in 1998, when Manning was a rookie with the Colts.




https://www.gannett-cdn.com/media/2017/11/28/TennGroup/Knoxville/636474574523728789-shr-561fj424ma0igg339nc-original.jpg?width=260&format=pjpg&auto=webp&quality=70

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[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

https://twitter.com/PLeonardNYDN/status/1626795288701591552

News: Giants RB coach DeAndre Smith is leaving the team to join Shane Steichen’s Indianapolis Colts staff, according to a source.

Steichen & Smith worked on the same UNLV staff in 2009. Smith was the Rebels’ RBs coach. Steichen was an offensive graduate assistant.

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

Steichen found his TE Coach:

https://twitter.com/zkeefer/status/1627722850743222285

Really good get by Shane Steichen: Colts are bringing back Tom Manning as TE coach, per Justin Williams.

Manning was in Indy in 2018 and did a great job with the trio of Ebron, Doyle, and Alie-Cox.

Now he'll try and do something similar with Granson, Woods and Ogletree.

[YDFL Commish]

https://twitter.com/JFowlerESPN/status/1627760976974979072?cxt=HHwWgICxvf_--5YtAAAA

Looks like Jim Bob Cooter is coming back to Indy be our OC.

[CletusPyle]

https://twitter.com/JFowlerESPN/status/1627760976974979072?cxt=HHwWgICxvf_--5YtAAAA

Looks like Jim Bob Cooter is coming back to Indy be our OC.

Chap backs it up….welcome home Jim Bob, definitely a Cletus Pyle kind of name!:D

https://twitter.com/mchappell51/status/1627764433438011397?s=61&t=vPekIAYdHtL4mALqSR3NqA://

[JAFF]

Chap backs it up….welcome home Jim Bob, definitely a Cletus Pyle kind of name!:D

https://twitter.com/mchappell51/status/1627764433438011397?s=61&t=vPekIAYdHtL4mALqSR3NqA://

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/02/20/report-colts-to-hire-jim-bob-cooter-as-offensive-coordinator/

From PFT

[ChaosTheory]

What a relief. I was getting worried we were going to get stuck with one of these pussies with a regular sounding name.

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

Uh-oh.

The Browns just fired their Special Teams Coordinator and have requested permission to interview Bubba Ventrone.


https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1628041290804781056

The Browns requested an interview with Colts special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone, who is considered a top candidate for the same job in Cleveland, per sources.

A former Browns special teams ace, Ventrone has led one of the NFL's top units in Indianapolis.

https://twitter.com/NateAtkins_/status/1628043737300434945

Bubba Ventrone has some support to stay in Indy, but he’s exploring some other options, too.

https://twitter.com/NateAtkins_/status/1628047741312983041

The Colts are allowed to block the interview request, but they’ve had weeks to create clarity here and yet here we are. This has a real chance of happening.

[apballin]

Uh-oh.

The Browns just fired their Special Teams Coordinator and have requested permission to interview Bubba Ventrone.


https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1628041290804781056



https://twitter.com/NateAtkins_/status/1628043737300434945



https://twitter.com/NateAtkins_/status/1628047741312983041

Next man up, even if he leaves it’s no big loss

[ChaosTheory]

Next man up, even if he leaves it’s no big loss

I don't know about that. ST has been a bright spot for us in recent years.

[Oldcolt]

Special teams are undervalued. Remember how infuriating it was to have shitty special teams? Don't do Cleveland any favors.

[rcubed]

for lateral move, block that shit unless bubba is really pissed about not getting the HC gig.

[apballin]

I don't know about that. ST has been a bright spot for us in recent years.

Bright spot on shitty teams, on playoff teams special teams are irrelevant

Unless a spark is needed good teams fair catch / down everything so their star players get all the stats.

Without google name me the chiefs return man and punter

[Oldcolt]

Seriously? You don't think special teams are relevant on good teams. Tell that to the 1970 Colts who won the Super Bowl on a last play field goal. Or the Buffalo Bills for that matter (SB 25) who lost it the same way. Lots of games are won on field position and special teams are integral to good field position. I disagree and the fact that ChaosTheory can or cannot name the punter on KC is irrelevant. Maybe he is like me and doesn't give a shit about other teams. Your point that ST players are unheralded is very true. So are offensive lineman but that doesn't make them irrelevant. The fact that he is trying to be poached (even if it is Cleveland) supports Bubba's value. Plus I like having Bubba's on staff.

[JAFF]

Bright spot on shitty teams, on playoff teams special teams are irrelevant

Unless a spark is needed good teams fair catch / down everything so their star players get all the stats.

Without google name me the chiefs return man and punter

Your mom and your mom

[rm1369]

Bright spot on shitty teams, on playoff teams special teams are irrelevant

Unless a spark is needed good teams fair catch / down everything so their star players get all the stats.

Without google name me the chiefs return man and punter

Kadarius Toney returned punts for KC in the SB. In fairness the only reason I know that is because he had the longest punt return in SB history and it happened to be a pretty damn big play. Yeah if I had to pick a weakness I’d probably pick ST over O or D. But that doesn’t mean it can’t make or break your season.

[Lov2fish]

Kadarius Toney returned punts for KC in the SB. In fairness the only reason I know that is because he had the longest punt return in SB history and it happened to be a pretty damn big play. Yeah if I had to pick a weakness I’d probably pick ST over O or D. But that doesn’t mean it can’t make or break your season.

I agree with this. When you consistently put your O in good field position, and the opposing team in bad starting position it makes it somewhat important.

[YDFL Commish]

I think the Browns can steal Bubba by offering him some special designation, like assistant to the head coach or bs like that. Of course we could do the same.

My concern right now, is that we haven't made a decision on the OL coach yet.

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

My concern right now, is that we haven't made a decision on the OL coach yet.


At least we know that one person won't be the OL Coach next season - Chris Strausser.

The Texans hired him to be their OL Coach. Will be interesting to see how the Texans OL plays over the next 1 - 2 years and if they respond to him.


https://twitter.com/zkeefer/status/1628052734036393984

Texans have hired Colts former offensive line coach Chris Strausser, per Aaron Wilson.

Pretty clear Indy was gonna go in a different direction after last season.

[Brylok]

At least we know that one person won't be the OL Coach next season - Chris Strausser.

The Texans hired him to be their OL Coach. Will be interesting to see how the Texans OL plays over the next 1 - 2 years and if they respond to him.


https://twitter.com/zkeefer/status/1628052734036393984

Hopefully they'll be as good as the Colts O-line was this year. And for the duration of his tenor there.

[apballin]

Seriously? You don't think special teams are relevant on good teams. Tell that to the 1970 Colts who won the Super Bowl on a last play field goal. Or the Buffalo Bills for that matter (SB 25) who lost it the same way. Lots of games are won on field position and special teams are integral to good field position. I disagree and the fact that ChaosTheory can or cannot name the punter on KC is irrelevant. Maybe he is like me and doesn't give a shit about other teams. Your point that ST players are unheralded is very true. So are offensive lineman but that doesn't make them irrelevant. The fact that he is trying to be poached (even if it is Cleveland) supports Bubba's value. Plus I like having Bubba's on staff.

So a good fg kicker is equivalent to a good special teams coach?

And why do you like having Bubba on staff? Because of the bullshit we seen on hard knocks?

I do think he’s a good coach based off the blocked punts but if he left it’s no crippling loss by any means

[ChaosTheory]

Bright spot on shitty teams, on playoff teams special teams are irrelevant

Unless a spark is needed good teams fair catch / down everything so their star players get all the stats.

Without google name me the chiefs return man and punter

I can understand where you're coming from if you mean you want your O and D units to shine enough that you don't have to rely as heavily on ST. That can be the case on teams with a truly dominant offense or defense. But ST are often overlooked and as tight as your typical NFL game is, you can't afford to neglect it.

I couldn't name the Chiefs punter, no. But I also couldn't name the Chargers punter from 2008 until I just looked him up. What I do remember is we lost a playoff game because that punter/punting unit fucked us up ALL night. This was Mike Scifres stat-line and our starting field position from that game...

1st: 51 yards to IND 10, fair catch

2nd: 57 yards to IND 15, 4 yard return

3rd: 50 yards to IND 3, downed

4th: 67 yards to IND 5, 2 yard return

5th: 38 yards to IND 9, fair catch

6th: 52 yards to IND 1, out of bounds (on 4th & 19)

Special teams also cost us big in the 2010 playoffs against the Jets with that late kickoff return to midfield. And obviously the Super Bowl onside kick that we muffed.

Those are just spotlighted examples because it was the playoffs. Point is, ST are overlooked and they shouldn't be.

[apballin]

Kadarius Toney returned punts for KC in the SB. In fairness the only reason I know that is because he had the longest punt return in SB history and it happened to be a pretty damn big play. Yeah if I had to pick a weakness I’d probably pick ST over O or D. But that doesn’t mean it can’t make or break your season.

Just because he leaves doesn’t automatically make special teams a weakness.

I’d argue that the blocked FG last year vs Baltimore broke last season and Bubba was the coach then so…..

I don’t want him to leave but he is from the patriots and a Belicheck guy so him leaving wouldn’t upset me either

[apballin]

I can understand where you're coming from if you mean you want your O and D units to shine enough that you don't have to rely as heavily on ST. That can be the case on teams with a truly dominant offense or defense. But ST are often overlooked and as tight as your typical NFL game is, you can't afford to neglect it.

I couldn't name the Chiefs punter, no. But I also couldn't name the Chargers punter from 2008 until I just looked him up. What I do remember is we lost a playoff game because that punter/punting unit fucked us up ALL night. This was Mike Scifres stat-line and our starting field position from that game...

1st: 51 yards to IND 10, fair catch

2nd: 57 yards to IND 15, 4 yard return

3rd: 50 yards to IND 3, downed

4th: 67 yards to IND 5, 2 yard return

5th: 38 yards to IND 9, fair catch

6th: 52 yards to IND 1, out of bounds (on 4th & 19)

Special teams also cost us big in the 2010 playoffs against the Jets with that late kickoff return to midfield. And obviously the Super Bowl onside kick that we muffed.

Those are just spotlighted examples because it was the playoffs. Point is, ST are overlooked and they shouldn't be.

I absolutely remember Mike Scifres, and I’m not saying special teams don’t matter I’m just saying we’d be fine if bubba left.

Again so Scifres being a great punter means he had a great special teams coach?

If that’s the case why isn’t the Ravens special teams coach getting his door beaten down for jobs?

[ChaosTheory]

Again so Scifres being a great punter means he had a great special teams coach?

If that’s the case why isn’t the Ravens special teams coach getting his door beaten down for jobs?

Not necessarily, no. I just bring it up to demonstrate that ST can not only affect the game significantly, they can outright dominate on a night like that one.

The kickers/punters are kind of their own thing. I'd never say Justin Tucker is great just because of the coach. I would say the rest of the 11-man units are significantly affected, particularly in coverage.

Again, as tight as the typical NFL game is, these plays can make games. Not just splashes like blocks or big returns. Just dealing with shitty field position less than other teams adds up over time. If your coordinator can consistently put units on the field that are disciplined and effective, the chances for all positives go up.

I think Ventrone, overall, puts out good units and increases our odds of winning. Maybe we'd be ok without him, but I'd rather not risk it. We've seen the flipside and it's ugly.

[Discflinger]

Apparently Bubba is signing with Cleveland. Sigh…

[Hoopsdoc]

for lateral move, block that shit unless bubba is really pissed about not getting the HC gig.

My guess is it’s a combination of being mad he didn’t get the head job and it would be awkward working for the guy who beat him out.

Either way, it’s a loss for Indy if he leaves.

He’s a good coach and, imo, will be a head coach at some point.

[apballin]

Next man up… we’ll be fine. Get all the Patriots tree mfers outta here

[Oldcolt]

Sounds like we are going to find out how special Bubba was or wasn't.

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

Official now - Ventrone to the Browns. Cleveland also gave him the Asst Head Coach title.

https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1628777202194997248

The Browns are hiring Bubba Ventrone as their assistant head coach/special teams coordinator, per sources.

Ventrone, 40, played four seasons in Cleveland (2009-12). Now, he returns on Kevin Stefanski’s staff after building one of the NFL’s top units in Indianapolis. A big hire.

[JAFF]

Official now - Ventrone to the Browns. Cleveland also gave him the Asst Head Coach title.

https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1628777202194997248

Good for him

[ChaosTheory]

Well, shit.

[YDFL Commish]

Not a lateral move due to the Asst head coach title.

[CletusPyle]

You always hate to lose a guy named Bubba!

[ChaosTheory]

You always hate to lose a guy named Bubba!

Maybe a Jim Bob and a Bubba was too much for one team?

[Brylok]

You always hate to lose a guy named Bubba!

"Ohh, Bubba, no. You died right there next to that river in Vietnam."

[Colts And Orioles]

You always hate to lose a guy named Bubba !!!





o



https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7c/f5/ac/7cf5ac29189136072d2d53e3c62acebb.jpg

o

[Brylok]

Is it important to have a full coaching staff assembled prior to the combine? There's been no news as far as I know.

[YDFL Commish]

Is it important to have a full coaching staff assembled prior to the combine? There's been no news as far as I know.

No OL coach and no ST coach may be major concerns.

[Racehorse]

No OL coach and no ST coach may be major concerns.

Not in February. Maybe in late April, but not in February.

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

The Colts have a new OL Coach. Raiding the NY Giants coaching staff again:

https://twitter.com/art_stapleton/status/1630217813116715008

I’m told Giants assistant OL coach Tony Sparano Jr. has accepted the job as the offensive line coach of the Colts, per source.

Sparano worked well with Bobby Johnson last season with NY Giants

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

Sounds like John Fox is moving on to the Lions for a similar consultant type of role.


https://twitter.com/DNewtonespn/status/1630679830831280128

Former Carolina, Chicago and Denver head coach John Fox appears headed to the Lions as a senior defensive consultant, per league source.

Fox had a similar role with the Colts this past season.

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

The Colts went to the college ranks to find their next Special Teams Coordinator.


https://twitter.com/mattfreemanISD/status/1632010893557989376

Notre Dame special teams coordinator Brian Mason will leave the program for his dream job with the Indianapolis Colts.

https://irishsportsdaily.com/s/20078/brian-mason-will-leave-notre-dame-for-the-indianapolis-colts/1

Per multiple sources, Notre Dame special teams coordinator Brian Mason is expected to leave the program after just one season for the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, which has been his dream job as he grew up in nearby Zionsville (Ind.)

Mason's time was short in South Bend, but very productive as the Irish boasted one of the top special teams units in the country in 2022.

Notre Dame blocked seven punts last fall, which led to many headlines as the Irish had blocked just six punts combined in the previous 10 seasons. The Irish special teams also finished No. 6 in the FEI Efficiency Rankings. For perspective, Notre Dame had finished in the top 15 in FEI Efficiency just once in 15 years.

Perhaps the most significant accomplishment of Mason’s tenure was where Notre Dame finished in field position as they ranked in the top 10 for the first time since the metric was first tracked 15 years ago.

The average starting field position for the Irish offense was their own 33.4 yard line, which was No. 1 in the country. On the flip side, the average starting position for Notre Dame’s opponents was their own 26.1 yard line (No. 5). The net starting field position was +7.3 and that was good for No. 2 in the nation. Notre Dame went 9-2 when winning the field position battle and 0-2 when opponents won the metric.

Mason also wasn’t bashful to highlight the success of his players in early December.

“The last five years, we were never in the top 25 which certainly was an underachievement,” said Mason. “This year we finished the regular season sixth in the country.”

While some coaches might not give 100 percent of special teams, Mason gave 150 percent and it was evident during his introductory press conference last February.

“I really believe in order for the program to be successful, for special teams to be successful, the culture of the program, the mentality of the football program and the top fundamentals of the football program are going to be taught and developed within special teams, which will allow you to be a fundamentally sound football team,” explained Mason. “It'll allow for your culture to help be developed and put on film through special teams and allow you to be really successful in the football game by winning the battle of field position and generating explosive plays. That's kind of how I've always taught and coached through things.”

The decision to leave Notre Dame and Marcus Freeman’s staff likely wasn’t an easy one as this was the fourth time the two crossed paths. In fact, we’re told that if this was any other NFL job, Mason likely wouldn’t have left Notre Dame as the Colts offered him the same contract as he currently had with the Irish.

"I first worked with him at Kent State and then Purdue and then Cincinnati,” said Mason. “He was actually somebody that put me in touch with Luke Fickell, who got me that connection to get hired by him. But you could just tell even early on and early in his coaching career when I worked with him at Kent State that he was going to be a star.

“There's something special about the way he communicates. He's got natural leadership to him, the way he relates to players, recruits, you could just tell he was going to be a really successful football coach. Obviously, as he's gotten more and more experienced, he's gotten even better."

The Mason File

2006-07: Denison Student Assistant
2009-11: Bluffton Defensive Line
2012: Kent State Graduate Assistant
2013-14: Purdue Graduate Assistant
2015-16: Ohio State Graduate Assistant
2017: Cincinnati Director of Recruiting
2018-21: Cincinnati Special Teams Coordinator
2022: Notre Dame Special Teams Coordinator

[Dam8610]

Looks like an upgrade

[ukcolt]

Not sure how you can say it is an upgrade.

Bubba Ventrone was hugely respected, and was interviewed for the HC role, and immediately got another ST coaching position in the NFL. Also had NFL playing experience. He was a very good ST coach for the Colts.

I am not saying Brian Mason is not going to be a great hire, but to say he is an upgrade is not fair in the slightest, when Ventrone has performed at the highest levels of football and Mason hasn't.

[YDFL Commish]

Not sure how you can say it is an upgrade.

Bubba Ventrone was hugely respected, and was interviewed for the HC role, and immediately got another ST coaching position in the NFL. Also had NFL playing experience. He was a very good ST coach for the Colts.

I am not saying Brian Mason is not going to be a great hire, but to say he is an upgrade is not fair in the slightest, when Ventrone has performed at the highest levels of football and Mason hasn't.

Don't get me wrong, I loved Bubba as our ST coach. But, I also believe that at times, because of his aggressive nature and Reich's passive nature, there were times where Bubba had too much of a say in game day lineups because of his want for ST players.

Maybe I'm wrong here but Mike Strachan should have seen the field a lot more than he did. Reich's standard excuse was that we need our WR's to be able to play X, Y, Z. Fuck that. That is stupid thinking. The NFL is a matchup league and Strachan is a matchup nightmare who will make plays for you. Just get him on the damn field to make 1 or 2 plays a game for you.