The Indianapolis Colts have hired Reggie Wayne to be the team’s wide receivers coach for the 2022 season.
RT to welcome back #Colts ROH and soon to be HOFer Reggie Wayne as WR coach! pic.twitter.com/mi3Y9dUGMf
— Colts Coverage (@Colts_Coverage) March 14, 2022
This seems like a genius move that is guaranteed to bring success to the Colts wide receivers.
Here is what Wayne brings to the table.
He Is A Colts Legend
Wayne, 43, is a legend in Indianapolis.
His name is on the Colts Ring of Honor for good reason.
Your new Colts WR coach:
REGGIE WAYNE! LFG! pic.twitter.com/9SD41z3GUt
— Barstool Indy (@barstoolindy) March 14, 2022
During his tenure with the Colts from 2001 through 2014, he was a Super Bowl Champion, six-time Pro Bowler, a first-team All-Pro in 2010, and a second-team All-Pro in 2007 and 2009.
In addition to all of those accolades, he was the NFL’s receiving yards leader in 2007.
Good coaches know the position well, and Wayne definitely checks that box.
“Coach” Reggie Wayne is here.
After years of conversations with Frank Reich, Wayne decided it was time to give the coaching thing a try. pic.twitter.com/BCPhzKLiNh
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) March 15, 2022
Young players who potentially idolized him as they grew up playing football will respond very well to his guidance.
His TV Experience Will Help Him
Wayne spent years on NFL Network explaining his opinions and dissecting the game for television viewers.
Reggie Wayne joins the NFL Network as an analyst. Hopefully he'll find it fun.
— Chad Finn (@GlobeChadFinn) September 8, 2016
That experience will help him work with young players and should make him an even better teacher.
Not only does he know the material, but he is also able to communicate the fundamentals and X’s and O’s to young players.
A Natural Career Progression
As a veteran player, he mentored younger receivers.
T.Y. Hilton benefitted from the time he spent with Wayne.
Hilton is a free agent who may be more likely to re-sign with the team now that Wayne is on board.
We got to meet Reggie Wayne for the first time as a Colts coach. Story coming shortly.
But he said when the news broke, free agent T.Y. Hilton sent him a text message with only this in it:
👀
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) March 15, 2022
It was always a natural career progression for him, but he did not jump into it right after retiring from the game in 2016.
Regarding his overall coaching style and methods of preparation, Wayne said:
“I’m going to be me. That’s all I know how to be. I’m not reading no books. I ain’t doing none of that…I know it’s a grind. I know I’m going to be here all day. … Whatever they’re good at, I want to make sure they keep adding and keep guys sharp. And I hope I can add something else.”
The QB Challenge
Wayne knows a lot about creating chemistry with quarterbacks.
He had it with both Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck.
The Colts are temporarily without a starting quarterback.
When they find their 2022 QB1, he will be their fifth quarterback in five seasons.
The Colts’ receivers will be starting from scratch with whomever this quarterback is.
Though Wayne was fortunate not to have this turnover when he was with the Colts, he will be an excellent advisor to these players.
Conclusion
Colts head coach Frank Reich has been trying to get Wayne on his coaching staff for years.
The Colts make it official: Reggie Wayne is their new WRs coach.
Frank Reich has been trying for the franchise legend for four years and now it works.
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) March 14, 2022
Wayne is a well-rounded guy with many interests.
Could this coaching gig lead to a more permanent role and longstanding tenure in NFL coaching?
We will have to wait and see.
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