BREAKING: Colts hired another inventive coordinator to reinvent more disciplined, physical defence
The Indianapolis Colts have brought in a resourceful and innovative defensive coordinator to address the glaring weaknesses in a unit that frequently allowed opponents to deliver their best performances.
Lou Anarumo, introduced at a press conference Thursday after accepting the Colts’ DC position earlier in the week, emphasized the importance of adaptability in the modern NFL. With communication strategies evolving, coordinators often adjust play sheets and terminology weekly. Anarumo, who has been coaching football since 1989, is known for his creative approach, including disguising blitzes with aggressive fronts and deploying diverse schemes to disrupt quarterbacks.
“You can’t just sit in one coverage all day,” Anarumo explained. “To succeed in the playoffs and against elite quarterbacks, you have to keep them off balance.”
The Colts ranked among the league’s bottom five in scoring defense in two of Gus Bradley’s three seasons as defensive coordinator. Seeking a fresh perspective, head coach Shane Steichen hired Anarumo, whose philosophy sharply contrasts Bradley’s predictable reliance on Cover 3. Under Anarumo, opposing coaches will face a more complex and varied defensive approach.
Anarumo’s move to Indianapolis is a short one, having spent the last six years two hours away in Cincinnati. His tenure with the Bengals coincided with their most successful era in decades, highlighted by five playoff wins and back-to-back AFC Championship appearances. His defense consistently challenged the NFL’s top quarterbacks, including standout performances against teams like the Titans, Bills, and Ravens, as well as split results against the Chiefs in consecutive AFC title games.
While the Bengals’ 2024 season ended without a Super Bowl, Anarumo’s late-season adjustments were evident. Cincinnati allowed just 15.7 points per game over their final three regular-season contests, the second-best mark in the league during that stretch. Behind standout performances from players like All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks, the Bengals excelled in pressures and quarterback hits. Anarumo’s use of strategic blitz packages, which outpaced the Colts’ lower blitz rate, demonstrated his ability to adapt and outsmart opposing offenses.
Veteran Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II, known for his versatility and 10 career sacks, could thrive under Anarumo’s system, which often leverages nickel blitzes. However, the Colts’ defense has struggled collectively in recent years, missing a league-high 157 tackles in 2024. Anarumo’s challenge will be to instill discipline and accountability while fostering a culture of resilience within the locker room.
“When things are going well, everyone pulls in the same direction,” Anarumo noted. “But it’s in those tough times—when you’re 4-8—that leadership and perseverance matter most. You can’t let anyone let go of the rope.”
In the coming months, Anarumo will build his defensive staff and craft a playbook tailored to the Colts’ roster. His focus will be identifying and neutralizing opposing game-changers while helping Steichen evaluate potential free agents and draft prospects who can strengthen the defense. Colts fans can expect a more dynamic and unpredictable defense in 2025, though translating those changes into meaningful results will require eliminating errors and fostering a winning mentality.