Shane Steichen replacements: Ranking 8 best candidates should Colts fire coach, from Chris Shula to Jim Harbaugh originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Shane Steichen likely doesn't have much time left as the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Carlie Irsay-Gordon, the team's co-owner and CEO, put both Steichen and long-time GM Chris Ballard on notice should the winning results not improve in the 2026 NFL season.
Unfortunately, the Colts' 2-4 record through Week 6 doesn't work well. Beyond the hard fade in 2025, when the team went from 8-2 to miss the AFC playoffs at 8-9 with a seven-game losing streak, it started this season at 0-2.
The rebound to 2-2 with wins over the Texans and Commanders added up to only a reprieve, however. Sunday brought a terrible loss, blowing a 13-0 lead at home to the previous 0-5 Titans, adding up to an embarrassing, mistake-filled 26-20 loss.
Although Steichen told local reporters after the game he's more concerned with doing his job than losing it, there was an air of desperation, which included a hint at benching beleaguered starting quarterback Daniel Jones.
Steichen's overall record is 27-30 in his three-plus playoff-less seasons in Indianapolis after being hired to replace Frank Reich and interim coach Jeff Saturday in 2023. Irsay-Gordon should have seen enough disappointment to want to make a change. She should go ahead and vet the best potential replacements for Steichen:
MORE: Why Colts fans are calling for Daniel Jones benching after ugly Titans loss
Colts' 8 best coaching candidates for 2027
1. Chris Shula, Rams defensive coordinator (age: 40)
He's the latest Sean McVay assistant who is ready to take over his own team. Shula was in play as a potential hire when 10 new coaches got jobs in 2025. Pedigree of his last name aside, Shula has made a name for himself with his defensive play-calling acumen. Not lost on NFL history, either, the late great Don Shula started his record-setting winning career with the Colts when they were in Baltimore.
2. Anthony Campanile, Jaguars defensive coordinator (age: 44)
The Colts should pay close attention to their AFC South division foe enjoying success. Campanile and offensive coordinator Grant Udinski have developed into strong candidates in Jacksonville under Liam Coen. Campanile has a little more experience and appeals to the Colts as a defensive-minded alternative to Steichen. Campanile has a familiar Chuck Pagano vibe for Colts fans.
3. Brian Flores, Vikings defensive coordinator (age: 45)
Flores is due for another head coaching job after leading a dominant defense under Kevin O'Connell in Minnesota. Irsay-Gordon should be considering someone with previous coaching experience to help turn around the Colts, and flipping from offense to defense to lead the team overall also makes sense.
MORE: Colts get bad injury news on Sauce Gardner
4. Ejiro Evero, Panthers defensive coordinator (age: 45)
Evero has done well with some defensive reinforcements this season, including edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd. He gets the most out of his energetic group and also has good experience working with McVay on the Rams.
5. Declan Doyle, Ravens offensive coordinator (age: 30)
Doyle might be of interest with the work he's doing with Derrick Henry (not counting iWeek 6) and how that can apply toward an offense centered around Jonathan Taylor. He's a hot candidate, having worked under Ben Johnson and the Bears last season. Moving him from Baltimore to Indianapolis as a budding star would make sense.
6. Nate Scheelhaase, Rams offensive coordinator (age: 35)
If you're a former Rams offensive coordinator under McVay, you would be in a great spot to make the jump. See O'Connell, the LaFleur brothers and Liam Coen. The former Illinois quarterback would appealing to bring back to (original) Big Ten country to recharge the offense.
MORE: How J.J. McCarthy proved he should be starting QB for Giants
7. Andrew Luck, Stanford football GM (age: 37)
Time for a couple of wild-card hires. Luck is trying to help his alma mater get on track again as a program, well removed from their last winning time under David Shaw. Here does have the smarts and leadership to be the head coach of his former NFL team. If Luck doesn't get a call for the sideline, no one should be surprised if Irsay-Gordon considers him to replace Ballard at GM, following suit of the Falcons having Matt Ryan as a key decision-maker.
8. Jim Harbaugh, Chargers head coach (age: 62)
Harbaugh is still under contract in Los Angeles but between a shaky assistant situation and a fading Justin Herbert, plus an oft-injured and overrated roster of talent, there can be a mutual parting of ways after this disastrous still winless season. Should Harbaugh become free, the Colts can't ignore their former "Captain Comeback" quarterback turned "Saved By The Bell" guest star. Harbaugh returning to Indy in the midwest working with Luck would be something bold, but that feels like the jolt the Colts may need.
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