The Atlanta Falcons have hired a new defensive coordinator. Are the Indianapolis Colts next?
According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Falcons are hiring Jeff Ulbrich to be their next defensive coordinator. Ulbrich was previously the defensive coordinator for the New York Jets and took over as the interim head coach this season after Robert Saleh was fired.
The good news from the Colts is that another defensive coordinator-needy team is now off the market, and Ulbrich was not one of the candidates that Indianapolis has interviewed. So, as of now, they still have the opportunity to get their first choice to fill that role.
The Colts have brought in five candidates for interviews at this time. This list includes Ephraim Banda, Steve Wilks, Lou Anarumo, Wink Martindale, and Dennis Allen.
A common thread through each of those candidates is that they all run relatively aggressive defensive schemes, while a number of them cut their teeth as coaches working with defensive backs–a position group for the Colts that must improve.
Along with the Colts, the remaining teams that are looking for just defensive coordinators are San Francisco, who may be waiting to see if Saleh gets another head coaching opportunity or not, and Cincinnati.
The New England Patriots, who have already hired Mike Vrabel to be their head coach, are looking for a defensive coordinator as well, and in the coming weeks, as the other head coaching vacancies get filled, those organizations will begin their defensive coordinator searches as they round out their coaching staffs.
But for now, time is still on the Colts side when it comes to making this important decision, with there not being much competition for defensive coordinators at the moment. Although the tide in that regard will eventually turn.