A fresh start with the Indianapolis Colts may be just what Lou Anarumo needs to boost his career. The Colts are hopeful that his approach can help the team end its playoff drought.
Anarumo shared his plan for leading the Colts during his introductory news conference. “Sometimes a fresh start with a coach, for players, is a good thing,” he said. He emphasized the importance of consistency, both for coaches and players. His standard is to always tell the truth, whether it’s to confirm what’s being done right or point out areas for improvement.
A New Defensive Strategy for the Colts
Anarumo is known for his aggressive defense and varied formations, which is a shift from the previous defensive coordinator, Gus Bradley. Bradley preferred to stick with his base defense and didn’t use many blitzes. In contrast, Anarumo has a history of using a flexible approach to keep offenses guessing.
Anarumo’s Success in Cincinnati
During his time with the Cincinnati Bengals, Anarumo had success, including four winning seasons and back-to-back AFC championship game appearances. His efforts helped the Bengals reach the Super Bowl after the 2021 season. His performance made him a sought-after head coaching candidate in 2021 and 2022.
However, things didn’t go as well in 2023 when Joe Burrow’s injury affected the team’s performance, and the defense struggled with key losses in free agency. Despite improvements in late 2024, Anarumo was fired after the Bengals were eliminated from playoff contention.
New Chance in Indianapolis
The Colts are giving Anarumo another chance as they enter a crucial season under head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard. Both are likely facing pressure to succeed. Steichen praised Anarumo as a proven leader who can bring out the best in players. “His strategic mindset and unique scheme will be invaluable as we build a fast and disciplined defensive unit,” Steichen said.
Key Players for Anarumo
Anarumo has some strong foundational players to work with. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, a three-time Pro Bowler, and linebacker Zaire Franklin, who led the NFL with 173 tackles and earned Pro Bowl honors, are key pieces. Anarumo also sees cornerback Kenny Moore II, a 2021 Pro Bowler, as playing a role similar to what Mike Hilton did for the Bengals.
Challenges Ahead
There is still a lot of work to be done. Some key players, like linebacker E.J. Speed and safety Julian Blackman, may become free agents. The Colts’ young secondary has struggled with injuries and consistency in recent seasons. Anarumo also addressed the importance of team unity, acknowledging that ego can sometimes cause problems.
“There are times where ego gets in the way,” Buckner said in January. “As a team, everybody needs to check their ego at the door when they come in. We all have egos, but the great teams, those guys they sacrifice that ego and check it at the door.”
Anarumo believes he can help with this as well, noting that the best players want to be coached and appreciate direct feedback. “Good players, great players, want to be coached, they want to know the truth,” Anarumo said. “If they don’t, then there’s probably a little bit of an issue there, but the best ones I’ve ever been around say ‘Coach me, coach me hard, tell me what you want.’”
