INDIANAPOLIS – Smart. Fast. Physical.
New Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo made his defensive philosophy clear during his introductory news conference on Thursday.
Anarumo comes to Indianapolis after spending six seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. His time there included a run to the Super Bowl, although the team missed the playoffs in 2023 and 2024.
The Colts fired former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley at the end of the season after the team finished 8-9 and ranked near bottom in most defensive categories.
Like Bradley, Anarumo found himself out of a job after the season. He’s excited to be in Indy, which represents a homecoming of sorts. Anarumo coached at Purdue University from 2004 to 2011 and said his children spent their formative years in the Hoosier State.
He said he was fortunate to find a new job quickly.
“If you’d ask most coaches, we don’t like staying out very long,” he said. “Thank God for me it wasn’t long.”
He expressed admiration for the Colts organization, including owner Jim Irsay, general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen.
Communication, flexibility
Anarumo is known throughout the league for disguising coverages and giving offenses different looks meant to confuse the quarterback. His defensive philosophy is built on being a smart, fast and physical team.
Communication is the key, he said. It starts with the coaches and includes all levels of the defense from the line to the linebackers and the secondary.
Teams can’t afford to beat themselves, and they must keep quarterbacks guessing.
“I think you have to be flexible these days,” he said. “You have to keep those great quarterback off balance. I think you have to make them uncomfortable. Even the best ones at times, you’re not going to fool them all day, but if it’s in the most critical situation, that’s what you’re hoping to do.”
Learning Indy, reflecting on Cincy
Anarumo has already spoken to a number of Colts players on the phone and in person. He said they’re ready to get to work and believes success lies in the defensive line.
“It all starts up front. Those guys can affect the game more than anybody. And we’ve got some good players up there,” he said.
Anarumo’s defense in Cincinnati experienced great success in 2021 and 2022, when the Bengals made it to back-to-back AFC Championship Games. They fell short in Super Bowl 56, and then the defense tapered off in the last two seasons.
When asked about the decline, Anarumo was reflective.
“I just feel like if you’re not consistent enough, and that’s something that we weren’t the last year or two, that’ll affect how wins and losses end up,” he said. “You learn from those things, and you move on.”
Defensive building blocks
The new defensive coordinator couldn’t put a timetable on when the defense would come together, and conceded things would be a work in progress during the offseason. He hopes players are hitting on all cylinders at the beginning of the regular season.
Anarumo didn’t specify what kinds of changes he’ll make, but he did mention a trio of defensive stalwarts: defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, defensive end Laiatu Latu and cornerback Kenny Moore II.
Buckner’s athleticism and length are traits the defense needs to exploit, he said. He likes Latu as a building block off the edge and envisions utilizing Moore’s skills as a disruptive force on corner blitzes.
Complacency and ego were two top concerns for Colts defenders after the season, with players settled into their roles and lacking competition for playing time. Anarumo believes players may simply need a change.
“[Complacency] can happen in this league,” he said. “But I know this: sometimes a fresh start for a coach or players is a good thing. I know the standard of how we’ll carry ourselves as coaches.”
Tailoring the defensive plan
Anarumo is known for tailoring his defense to specific matchups and attempting to take away what a team does best. Expect the same approach in Indianapolis.
“You’re going to identify what the team does well. Identify who the problem players are,” he said. “Where’s the great receiver and what do we gotta do to slow him down?”
He mentioned Baltimore’s Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson, two talented offensive players the Bengals dealt with in divisional games.
“Whoever or whatever the issues are, you want to put in front of the guys and say, ‘Ok, if we can take these guys away, or minimize their damage in the game, we’re gonna give ourselves a chance to win.’”
The truthteller
Ararumo said he will be a “truthteller” who will engage with his players.
“It’s my job to say, ‘Yes, you’re doing it right’ or ‘No, you’re doing it wrong.’ That will happen and it will happen to [all players],” he said.
“Good players, great players want to be coached. They want to know the truth. That’s always been the case,” he said. “The best ones I’ve ever been around say, ‘Coach me. Coach me hard. Tell me what you want.’”
Anarumo is focused on settling in with his new team and getting to know his players. He’ll be busy working on staffing, examining free agency and preparing for the draft in the weeks ahead.