Colts Interview Browns Assistant for Defensive Coordinator

The Indianapolis Colts are leaving no stone unturned to discover their next defensive mind.

Cleveland Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda, right, speaks with Cleveland Browns safety Chris Edmonds (41) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio. / Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Indianapolis Colts parted ways with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley after missing the playoffs for the fourth straight year and are now hunting for a new face to lead the defense.

The Colts reportedly interviewed Cleveland Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda for their open position on Friday (per Tom Pelissero | NFL Network). Banda is a young assistant but has plenty of experience as a coach.

The #Colts interviewed #Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda today for their defensive coordinator job, per source.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 10, 2025

Banda has been in Cleveland for two years now but has spent time at multiple Power 5 football programs in the NCAA. Banda was a defensive coordinator for the Miami Hurricanes and the Utah State Aggies.

Banda is now the third secondary coach to interview for the Colts' open position. Indy had one of the worst passing defenses in football this season, allowing a 69.36% completion rate and 229.4 passing yards per game.

Gus Bradley’s Defense:

•Led NFL in Missed Tackles

•Gave up 362 Yards per game (29th)

•Drew Lock 5 TDs, 309 Yards

•Mixon 261 yards in 2 games

•Jacobs 151 yards

•Caleb 363 Yards

•Fields 367 Yards.

•Lawerence 371 Pass Yards

Gus was helping the other team. pic.twitter.com/oWvQG8hrU7

— Talkin’ Colts (@TalkinnColts) January 6, 2025

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Bradley's defensive scheme gave up too many underneath passes, creating endless choices for the quarterback. Numerous quarterbacks including Malik Willis, Trevor Lawrence, and Drake Maye threw at an 80% success rate against the Colts.

Banda's Browns allowed only a 61.84% completion rate, the third-best in the NFL. Despite the Browns finishing with a 3-14 record, their pass defense was not terrible.

The Colts are trying to find a suitable replacement as fast as possible. The 2025 NFL draft is coming up in just over three months, so it's vital that all coaches are on the same page entering offseason activities.

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