Colts Hired A New Assistant Coach On Sunday

The Indianapolis Colts were one of the more inconsistent teams during the 2024 NFL season, finishing with an 8-9 record.

While the Colts finished below .500, they actually had a chance to win the AFC South, though they came up short in the final weeks of the season.

Offensively, head coach Shane Steichen had trouble getting the team into a groove as Anthony Richardson looked rough as a passer.

After benching Richardson for Joe Flacco, Steichen eventually went back to the second-year quarterback, and the team took off from there.

However, defensively, the team was a mess, as they were bad in all three areas of the field.

To help address the middle of the defense, Indianapolis is reportedly hiring James Bettcher as their new linebackers coach via Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

“The #Colts are hiring James Bettcher as their linebackers coach, per source. An experienced hire for new DC Lou Anarumo, who had Bettcher in the same position the past three years in Cincinnati,” Pelissero reported. 

The #Colts are hiring James Bettcher as their linebackers coach, per source.

An experienced hire for new DC Lou Anarumo, who had Bettcher in the same position the past three years in Cincinnati. pic.twitter.com/JJnnjDAJaC

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 26, 2025

Bettcher will join new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo as the two look to rebuild a Colts defense that desperately needs new guidance and coaching.

Bettcher brings a wealth of experience on the defensive side of the ball, having worked for several teams in numerous capacities.

Now, in Indianapolis, Bettcher will be responsible for building up the young linebackers’ room and getting them to a place where they help generate stops more consistently.

It will be interesting to see how the Colts perform on that side of the field when the 2025 NFL season begins.