While big-name head coaching candidates like Matt Patricia and Josh McDaniels continue to float around the rumor mill, the Indianapolis Colts are surprisingly considering hiring Baylor head coach Matt Rhule.
From ESPN's Adam Rittenberg:
SOURCES: Baylor coach Matt Rhule interviewed for the Indianapolis Colts head coaching vacancy earlier this week. Rhule, who completed his first season with the Bears in November, spent the 2012 season as the New York Giants offensive line coach. He is 29-34 in five seasons as a college head coach.
This is the first time Rhule's name has been mentioned as a possibility for the Colts or any other franchise looking for a new coach. While the Baylor Bears only went 1-11 in his first season at the school, Rhule made a name for himself by transforming the program at Temple. After going 2-10 in his first year with the Owls, Rhule led Temple to consecutive 10-win seasons in 2015 and 2016.
The 42-year-old has spent much of his coaching career in the collegiate ranks, but he did serve as the New York Giants' offensive line coach before getting the head job at Temple.
In addition to Rhule, Indianapolis reportedly has interest in New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub, Texans defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel, Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, and former Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard.
Owner Jim Irsay fired head coach Chuck Pagano shortly after the Colts' Week 17 win over the Houston Texans. In six years under Pagano, the Colts went 53-43 while making the playoffs three times, including an AFC Championship game appearance in 2014. However, after reaching the postseason in Pagano's first three seasons, Indy missed the playoffs in each of the last three seasons while going 20-28.