Colts to rent James Bettcher as linebackers coach

In keeping with NFL Community insider Tom Pelissero, the Indianapolis Colts are hiring former Cincinnati Bengals defensive assistant James Bettcher as their linebackers coach.

The transfer comes a number of days after the Colts employed former Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo as their new defensive coordinator. The 2 had spent the previous 3 seasons in Cincinnati, each in the identical position they’re taking over in Indianapolis.

Bettcher was beforehand a defensive coordinator in Arizona for 3 seasons from 2015 to 2017, and New York (with the Giants) for two seasons in 2018 and 2019. He beforehand spent one season in Indianapolis in 2012 as an outdoor linebackers coach. In 2018 in New York, the 2 of them have been additionally on the identical workers with Bettcher because the defensive coordinator and Anarumo because the defensive backs coach. Between the tip of his Giants stint and earlier than his Bengals stint, he took a yr off through the 2020 Covid season after which was a senior defensive assistant with the 49ers in 2021.

The Colts completed final season in the direction of the underside in lots of statistical classes, together with twenty fourth in factors allowed, twenty ninth in yards allowed, and twenty fourth in sacks amongst different classes. Anarumo and Bettcher noticed success in a few Bengals playoff runs the place the staff’s protection drove a whole lot of their success, however they struggled mightily final season which led to their firings.

There are nonetheless a number of extra coaches to rent on the defensive facet, plus the staff nonetheless wants to substantiate if a number of the present coaches on workers are being retained.

The transfer to convey Bettcher brings one other skilled coach on workers, as Anarumo has earlier coordinator expertise, as does Bettcher and Charlie Partridge is a former NCAA head coach and defensive coordinator. Bettcher had nice success in Arizona as their defensive coordinator, constantly rating within the high 10 and was even thought-about a possible successor to Bruce Arians when he retired. Bettcher will probably be tasked with teaching Zaire Franklin in addition to younger upstart linebacker Jaylon Carliess. The opposite starter from final season, EJ Pace, is an unrestricted free agent and returning to the Colts is much from assured for subsequent season.