Why the Colts Will Be OK Even After Josh McDaniels Backed Out

Recent history shows the last hire of the coaching carousel is sometimes the best hire.

BLOOMINGTON, MN - JANUARY 31:  New England Patriots Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels answers questions during the New England Patriots Patriots Press Conference on January 31, 2018, at the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN.   (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, MN - JANUARY 31: New England Patriots Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels answers questions during the New England Patriots Patriots Press Conference on January 31, 2018, at the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Colts general manager Chris Ballard is probably not feeling great right now. The entire front office of the Indianapolis franchise had to go back to square one after Josh McDaniels verbally agreed to take the head coaching job, then pulled a 180 and decided to stay with the New England Patriots. The Colts have lined up interviews with Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich, Bills DC Leslie Frazier and Saints assistant Dan Campbell. But recent history has shown that in the NFL, being pick last for coach rarely means that you are worth the least. Last year, Josh McDaniels pulled his name out of consideration for the 49ers job, which went to Kyle Shanahan, who finished his season on a five-game winning streak. A year before that, Doug Pederson was the last coaching hire announced and he got the Eagles job after every other outside candidate interviewed by the team took another post. He just brought home the franchise’s first Super Bowl win after only two years of being head coach. Dan Quinn, the coach of the previous NFC champions was the last coach signed in 2015 after Todd Bowles opted for the Jets job. The Colts would be fine with another Shanahan, Pederson, or Quinn. Ballard seems to know that good things come to those who wait.

“Everybody gets in panic mode and just starts hiring, and I just don’t believe in that,” he said to Sports Illustrated. “I think you’ve got to be patient. Take your time.”

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