The Indianapolis Colts have hired former New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who just lost Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles, as the team’s 20th head coach.
McDaniels is an offensive coordinator who likes to give his quarterbacks some freedom as he puts a lot of decisions on them at the line of scrimmage. That could benefit the very intelligent Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, who under McDaniels could grow and mature into a better passer. McDaniels’ guidance could turn Luck into a better and more confident leader and a savvier decision maker.
Even though he’s just 41 years old, Josh McDaniels has an NFL resume that holds up against just anyone working in the league today as he’s logged 17 seasons on pro football sidelines.
He was first hired by the Patriots as a personnel assistant for the 2001 season, which also happened to be the first of what is now a long list of Super Bowl championships in New England.
In 2004 he became the quarterbacks’ coach and the Patriots won a second straight Super Bowl. In 2007 the Tom Brady led offense scored a league record 589 points.
In January of 2009, when he was just 33 years old, earned his first shot at being an NFL head coach as he was hired by the Denver Broncos, but on his first season he showed a fiery demeanor and a short temper that backfired as the Broncos finished 8-8 and missed the postseason despite starting 6-0.
After a 3-9 start in 2010, the Broncos fired him as he was also criticized for his roster decisions in free agency and compiling an 11-17 record in Denver. In 2011 he was hired as the Saint Louis Rams offensive coordinator, but ultimately moved back to New England in 2012 where he went back to working with Brady.
In 14 seasons with the Patriots, he’s amassed some impressive numbers as he’s been part of all their Super Bowl championships as he’s had the luxury of working perhaps with the greatest quarterback ever.
This season, under McDaniels the Patriots led the league in offense, were second in passing and points scored during the regular season. In the postseason they also led in total yards and passing yards, but finished second in points, trailing only the Philadelphia Eagles (94-92).
Now the Colts hope McDaniels has the winning formula to bring some of that postseason and Super Bowl success to Indianapolis.
