Josh McDaniels was scheduled to become the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts following Super Bowl 52. The Patriots offensive coordinator was highly coveted by other teams seeking a head coach and ultimatley landed the Colts head coaching job. McDaniels was going to get the opportunity to coach young budding star Andrew Luck to lead the franchise moving forward. In an odd turn of events, McDaniels has spurned the Colts and has decided to stick with the Patriots as the team’s offensive coordinator.
Adam Schefter of ESPN was the first to report the news.
“After agreeing to contract terms to become the Indianapolis Colts’ new head coach, New England Patriots assistant coach Josh McDaniels this evening informed us that he would not be joining our team,” the team said in a statement. “Although we are surprised and disappointed, we will resume our head coaching search immediately and find the right fit to lead our team and organization on and off the field.”
Schefter adds that the Patriots owner Robert Kraft pulled some cheese and conviced McDaniels to stay with the organization. While it’s unclear if McDaniels has been promised to become the ultimate successor to Bill Belichick, it’s clear that he now becomes the odds on favorite to replace Belichick was he decides to retire. Belichick looks like he is going to return as the Patriots coach for at least one more season but his future remains murky. How much longer can a 41-year-old Tom Brady can keep playing.
The real question people should be asking is what is the health status of Andrew Luck. The Colts signal quarterback didn’t play the entire season because of a shoulder issue. Perhaps Luck’s health is more concerning than what is actually being led on by the Colts.
