The hunt for Jim Caldwell's replacement is on and the list of possibilities continues to grow.
Next up for an interview, if the Colts have their way? Saints' offensive coordinator, Pete Carmichael.
Colts request permission to interview Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, per league source.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) January 19, 2012
Carmichael notably took over the play calling duties from Sean Peyton after his knee was obliterated on the sideline during week six of the season. Immediately after Carmichael took over, the Saints offense seemed to climb to new heights and finished the season (regular and post) as the number one offense in the league.
Carmichael's name is relatively hot on the head coaching market. The Raiders have reportedly talked to the coordinator while he was in San Fransisco. The Dolphins and Buccaneers have also targeted him for an interview.
If Carmichael is among the Colts favorite candidates, this would be a very good hire, in my opinion.
Another candidate the Colts will consider is Titans' defensive coordinator, Jerry Gray. Gray is another solid name and has worked with defensive guru, Gregg Williams, while he was head coach for the Bills. The Buccaneers are also interested in Gray.
The #Titans have granted the Colts permission to talk to defensive coordinator Jerry Gray about their head coaching job, sources say
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) January 18, 2012
Gray has an extensive background in secondary development (four-time Pro Bowler and NFL Defensive Back of the Year winner as a player) a.k.a. just what we need. It's possible that if head coach doesn't work out for Gray, the Colts could consider him to be their new defensive coordinator, if Mike Murphy follows the other recently fired Colts assistants out the door.
Gray will also satisfy the Rooney Rule.
[UPDATE:] Interview with Carmichael will take place on Thursday, per PFT.
0 recs | 20 comments
carmichael
would be a great hire. Would love to see him develop Luck going forward. This is my favorite choice.
coltsgolfbeer - January 18, 2012
on paper
it sounds like a great tandem. it would be great to get both. i really hope irsay’s vision is to fill all the empty spots with solid fresh minds. i’m personally glad we didn’t get fisher. not that he is a bad coach, i would just like to see some new faces.
12over18 - January 18, 2012
I like it
The perfect scenario would be Carmichael as HC and playcaer with one of his guys brought in to work under him as the OC. Then Grigson can hand over the defense to Spagnuolo as DC.
bbxxj - January 18, 2012 via mobile
Carmichael is Closer
Some of the other names I heard aren’t even worth a comment but Pete Carmichael has me excited. First canidate mentioned that makes me want to search and see what he’s done. Don’t have too look too far past Drew Brees and the Saints dynamic O. Sean P deserves credit as well. If Pete becomes HC, we just need an agressive DC and I think we would be on the rise! I like Spaggs as the DC and I also like Jerry Gray. If we are going to go with an unproven HC, lets atleast go with one that has been with a winning team, the calliber of the Saint’s winning team.
I’d love to see tomorrow that the Colt’s are set to hire Pete Carmichael for HC. The name sounds great…Colt’s Coach Carmichael. Best of luck to ever the canidates are! Go Colts!
Dalton Pate - January 18, 2012
Can someone post pics of Carmichael and Gray?
I need to see if they have a brostache as epic as Jeff Fisher’s.
EVLGNUS - January 18, 2012
Jerry Gray...
Was interviewed but did not get the coaching job at the University of Memphis. The…University…of…Memphis. They were the 209th best team in the NCAA according to the Sagarin ratings. And they walked away from Jerry Gray. Note: That was the last time they needed a coach…they change every two or three years.
captaincomeback - January 18, 2012
He is also a minority interview (Rooney rule)
Not saying he is not a viable candidate.
PV Mike - January 19, 2012
Zimmer
Supposedly ESPN just reported the Colts have asked to talked to Mike Zimmer.
Get it done! He is the right guy.
FatDT - January 19, 2012
^^^this
Addai Another Aday - January 19, 2012
I shall agree.
infinityzero.systemerror - January 19, 2012
Yes to Zimmer
This is definitely my #1 choice. I’m a firm believer that this team needs a defensive minded HC.
MinerFootball - January 19, 2012
And his name is Mike, which seems to be 50% of the head coaches in the NFL...
including a lot of successful ones.
Yougotme - January 19, 2012
YES!!
Should have been a HC already.
Nosewiper - January 19, 2012
In Zimmer We Trust
Phillycolt - January 19, 2012
The only knock I read on Carmichael is...
that he is apparently kind of quiet and shy. This was coming from Saints fans on one of their forums. They think he is alot like Dungy as far as his demeanor. So for those wanting a fire and brimestone coach, Carmichael is not your man.
Radcolt - January 19, 2012
I want a genius with leadership
Don’t care about his sideline face.
Ty46 - January 19, 2012
So the question is
Is he the “quiet strength” kind of quiet (which I don’t really want again but that is just personal preference) or is he the “unconfident overthinker” kind of quiet (no thanks)?
FatDT - January 19, 2012
Why can't CP7 just be our coach?
icedude - January 19, 2012
What kind of ridiculous idea is that?
FatDT - January 19, 2012
only if Jerry Hughes is DC
Phillycolt - January 19, 2012
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