The Indianapolis Colts have conducted a thorough search for a new head coach in the weeks that followed the decision to fire Chuck Pagano.

According to Ian Rapoport of The NFL Network, the Colts are expected to hire New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels for the vacancy.

This will mark the second NFL head coaching gig for McDaniels as he held an 11-17 record with the Denver Broncos in 2009-10. It was followed by one season as the Rams' offensive coordinator before deciding to return to the Patriots as the offensive coordinator for the second time and has held that position ever since. He had held that role from 2006-08 and previously was an assistant from 2001-05.

The Colts have struggled to break through over the last three seasons failing to make the playoffs in each campaign while falling further this past year to a 4-12 record, which was tied for the third-worst mark in the league. What should be taken into consideration is that Pro Bowl quarterback Andrew Luck has missed most of the last two seasons due to an assortment of injuries.

This includes sitting out the entire 2017 campaign due to an ailing surgically-repaired right shoulder that continued to bother him throughout the season that led him being shut down in early November. In his absence, the Colts struggled to break through with Jacoby Brissett losing six games by seven points or less.

Upon taking the position with Indianapolis, there had to be some inkling that Luck would be back fully healthy under center for the 2018 campaign. The 28-year-old has proven to be one of the league's top quarterbacks when on the field that can lead his team to the playoffs behind his arm. On top of that, there could many changes to the roster to help get the team headed in the right direction it once was three years ago after an AFC Championship appearance.