Ranking Head Coach Hires: SI Loves the Colts

Where do the Indianapolis Colts finish in Sports Illustrated's ranking of the five-new head coach hires?

Obviously they haven't played a single game yet, but Sports Illustrated's Connor Orr loves the Shane Steichen hire by the Indianapolis Colts.

Orr ranked the five-new head coach hires in a recent column, and the Indianapolis Colts came out on top.

1. Shane Steichen: Indianapolis Colts

Surprised? Don’t be. Each year, we recommend a clear-and-obvious-top candidate. In 2021, that was Nathaniel Hackett, who I’ll own, even if I think he got hosed in Denver. The year before that? Brian Daboll (even if it took some time for teams to catch on). This year, our top candidate was Steichen. We profiled him in December and dived deeply into what makes him successful. When I look at good head coaching candidates, it comes down to three A’s: 

- Adaptability in scheme
- Access to other good coaches
- Attitude in front of a team and in front of a camera

Steichen has built offenses for Philip Rivers, Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts. All different quarterbacks. All good quarterbacks. A quarterback has never not developed when working for Steichen. He has a relationship with Gus Bradley and will get to keep a solid defensive coordinator with head coaching experience. And, that Eagles staff is L-O-A-D-E-D with future head coaches. Anyone he’s able to pry loose will be a bonus. -- Connor Orr, Sports Illustrated

Orr mentions Hackett as his top candidate last year who flamed out with the Denver Broncos and was fired before his first year was over. Orr likely refers to the power-structure with Russell Wilson seeming to have more of it than the head coach.

Steichen's history with quarterbacks will be big for the Colts who are looking to draft their quarterback of the future and could move up to the top spot in the draft to do it. 

Hurts was a second-round draft pick turned MVP candidate in his second year working with Steichen. The idea of Steichen handpicking a quarterback in this draft to develop is a big reason why he's the new head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.

Orr picked Steichen ahead of No. 2 Demeco Ryans (Houston Texans), No. 3 Frank Reich (Carolina Panthers), and No. 3 (Tie) Jonathan Gannon (Arizona Cardinals), and No. 5 Sean Payton (Denver Broncos). 

There were only five openings this year for new head coaches, but according to Connor Orr, the Colts got the pick of the litter.