Shane Steichen is only entering his second season as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. That said, it’s too early to call him an Indy legend. Yet, if he sticks around a while, he could emerge as Indianapolis’ greatest coach not named Tony Dungy.
Weeb Ewbank is the greatest coach in Colts history. The Hall of Famer led the Baltimore Colts to consecutive NFL championships in 1958 and 1959. Don Shula won an NFL championship in 1968. Plus, Don McCafferty picked up a victory in Super Bowl V.
However, this article isn’t about the Baltimore era. We’re focusing on the Indianapolis era, which began back in 1984.
Can Shane Steichen Become the Greatest Colts Coach Not Named Tony Dungy?
Dungy is Indy’s G.O.A.T.
Indianapolis hired Dungy as head coach in 2002. The Jackson, Michigan native would spend seven seasons with the franchise. The Colts reached the playoffs each season. Dungy went 85-27 in the regular season and 7-6 during the playoffs. He became the first coach in NFL history to have six consecutive seasons with at least 12 wins.
Dungy also became the first African-American head coach to win a Super Bowl. His Colts defeated the Chicago Bears 29-17 in Super Bowl XLI.
Dungy is easily the Colts’ greatest Indy-era coach of all time. He has the most wins in franchise history and is the only head coach to win a ring after the team relocated to Indianapolis.
A few other Indy-era coaches have achieved success. Jim Caldwell, who replaced Dungy when he retired, guided the Colts to a Super Bowl although they lost to the New Orleans Saints. Ted Marchibroda and Chuck Pagano took the team to an AFC Championship Game.
However, Dungy is the G.O.A.T. He was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
Steichen Has a Bright Future
Shane Steichen only has one season under his belt as head coach. He has a long way to go before being in the same conversation as Tony Dungy. But he could certainly reach that level one day.
Steichen is considered an offensive mastermind. Serving as an offensive coordinator a few seasons ago, he helped guide the Philadelphia Eagles to an appearance in Super Bowl LVII. He also helped transform Eagles QB Jalen Hurts into an MVP candidate.
When Anthony Richardson suffered a season-ending injury last season, many people believed the Colts were going to have a miserable year. However, Steichen guided the team to a 9-8 record. That’s impressive, seeing that the team nearly made the playoffs with a backup quarterback under center in Gardner Minshew.
With Richardson healthy and ready to go, Steichen could take the Colts to the playoffs this upcoming season. It would be the franchise’s first postseason appearance since the 2020 campaign.
With players like Richardson, Jonathan Taylor, and rookie Laiatu Latu, Indianapolis has a team full of young talent. That improves the chances of Steichen having a successful coaching career in Indianapolis. But, of course, Richardson and Co. has to stay healthy.
Will Shane Steichen become the Colts’ greatest coach not named Dungy? Only time will tell.
Main Photo: Grace Hollars/IndyStar-USA TODAY NETWORK
