Fansided
Fansided

2018 NFL Head Coach Hire Grades: Who Did/Didn’t Do Well?

By Erik Lambert

ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden speaks during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden speaks during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 12: Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels shakes hands with a member of the armed forces on the field before a game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 12: Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels shakes hands with a member of the armed forces on the field before a game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Indianapolis Colts:  Josh McDaniels

Give GM Chris Ballard some credit. He was faced with a nearly disastrous situation with the Colts. His initial top target Matt Nagy spurned him for Chicago. Other coaches bowed out of the search citing concerns over the state of the roster, but especially the health of quarterback Andrew Luck. He hasn’t played since 2015 and had lingering shoulder problems that even led to speculation he might have to retire. For the time being it looks like that was an overreaction.

Then Tennessee opened their job up, and they have Patriots connections in their front office. It seemed like a slam dunk that McDaniels would shift that way. Yet the Colts stuck it out and got their guy. The vast potential of pairing Luck with arguably the best play caller in football is a captivating idea. At the same time people still remember how badly things went for his first head coaching run in Denver. Has he truly learned his lessons?

Grade:  B+

Home/NFL Hot Takes