After dramatically missing the playoffs with a Week 18 loss to the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars to end the 2021 season and starting the 2022 season with a dreadful 3-5-1 record, owner Jim Irsay of the Indianapolis Colts fired head coach Frank Reich. The former Buffalo Bills backup quarterback went 40-33-1 in his four-plus seasons in Indy. He made the playoffs twice and won one playoff game. Reich got dealt a bad hand when Andrew Luck shockingly retired after the coach’s first season, but that was three and a half years ago, and the team never really rebounded. Now, with Frank Reich fired, the new Colts head coach — now interim coach and franchise legend Jeff Saturday — must figure out the quarterback situation and get the franchise back on track. With that in mind, here are six Colts coach candidates the team can hire after dismissing Reich.

Jeff Saturday, Indianapolis Colts interim head coach 

With Frank Reich fired, or when any head coach goes, you always have to allow for the fact that the interim coach could take the team on a run and keep the job. It doesn’t happen often, and even when it does (see Rich Bisaccia and the Raiders in 2021) there is no guarantee that the owner keeps him on.

However, with Jim Irsay shockingly appointing former Colts center Jeff Saturday as the interim head coach, it looks like this interim tag has a better chance to disappear than most.

Prior to Monday, Saturday was an ESPN analyst and six-time Pro Bowl center for the Colts. He retired following the 2012 season and has no high-level coaching experience to speak of. This is a shocking move by Irsay, and also one that signals Saturday could be part of the franchise's long-term plans.

DeMeco Ryans, San Francisco 49ers Defensive Coordinator

The first of the outside Colts coach candidates is 49ers DC DeMeco Ryans. The 49ers D is the fifth-ranked scoring defense this season and has given up the fewest yards (2,287) in the league so far.

Ryans is a 10-year NFL vet and a two-time Pro Bowl linebacker who is only 38 years old. With the proliferation of young coaches who can relate to modern players bringing excitement and motivation to their teams, Ryans could fit right into that group.

Plus, Jim Irsay might want a defensive indeed coach after now that offensive-minded Frank Reich is fired. The team’s most success in recent years has come under defense-first coaches like Tony Dungy and Chuck Pagano, and Ryans can fit that mold.

Shane Steichen, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator

The hottest names in the 2023 NFL coaching search will be the coordinators for the currently undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. Eagles OC Shane Steichen could be a great fit in Indy as the new Colts head coach if the team hopes to develop Sam Ehlinger or a newly drafted QB.

Steichen has helped Jalen Hurts go from a borderline bust to an MVP candidate as a modern, scrambling signal-caller. By trying out Ehlinger this season, the Colts seem to be interested in a similar path after dealing with statues like Matt Ryan, Carson Wentz, and Philip Rivers.

Reich came from Philly, too, so there may be some reticence to go to the same well from Irsay, but Steichen would be a good choice.

Ken Dorsey, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator

With the success of Brian Daboll with the New York Giants, teams this offseason may try their hand at getting a little of that Buffalo Bills culture in their own building.

Ken Dorsey has only been the Bills OC for half a season now, but he’s done a good job of continuing what Daboll started. He’s also been the QB coach who helped develop Josh Allen, and that could come into play in the Colts QB room in 2023.

Dorsey is inexperienced, but he’s a former national championship-winning QB with the Miami Hurricanes, so he has the player resume and now coaching resume to get the respect he needs as the new Colts head coach.

Brian Flores, Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach

Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores hasn’t had any great success to speak of in Pittsburgh thus far, but he got a raw deal in Miami and pushed his Dolphins team into the playoff race every year with minimal talent.

As Colts coach candidates go, Flores isn’t the flashiest option when it comes to hot, young names. However, he’s the most proven on this list and would be a solid captain to lead a sinking ship right now in Indianapolis.

Pat McAfee, former Colts punter

This is a little tongue-in-cheek, but hear me out. Pat McAfee is box office. The WWE knows this. ESPN’s College Gameday knows this. FanDuel — his talk show’s banner sponsor — knows this. Everybody knows this.

McAfee knows football well, is an ex-Colts player, and probably could have done at least as well as Frank Reich this season. He has a host of smart ex-player friends like A.J. Hawk, Darius Butler, and AQ Shipley to install as assistant coaches, and Boston Conner on the sideline would be the best thing to ever happen in the NFL.

The Colts could be bad for a while now if they decide to tear the team down to the studs, so why not try something novel and put the most entertaining man in all of sports right now on the sideline? It will certainly sell tickets.

McAfee and Irsay also have a good relationship, so while it likely won’t happen, the owner just appointed Jeff Saturday as interim head coach, so you never know with a Wild Card like the Colts owner.