According to NFL Insider Josina Anderson, a league source claims Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo is expected to receive legitimate consideration for the New York Giants’ head coach opening.
A league source says Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo is expected to receive strong consideration for the Giants head coach vacancy this upcoming cycle, while also emphasizing his familiarity and relationship with current general manager Joe Schoen. It remains to be seen how much said
connection will influence ownership, relative to Schoen’s status, once the search is complete.
Lou Anarumo was let go this past offseason after six seasons as the Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive playcaller, but has since rebounded in a big way in Indianapolis. He has been afforded a much better roster this time around, and success has followed. So far this season, here’s where the Colts’ defense fares among major statistics:
20.8 Points Per Game Allowed (9th)
342.7 Yards Per Game Allowed (T-21st)
16 Takeaways (T-7th)
33 Sack (T-6th)
35.8% pressure rate (T-9th)
37.5% Scoring Drive Percentage (T-10th)
Lou Anarumo is largely remembered for being instrumental in Cincinnati’s lone Super Bowl run of the 21st century, but his leadership goes far beyond the flashy Xs-and-Os aspect — he was nicknamed ‘The Mad Scientist’ for his creativity on the gridiron, but players from past and present regularly praise his accountability and passion, which sprout from his high standards. Anarumo has not yet climbed the coaching ladder to its highest rung at the sport’s highest level, but he sure fits the mold.
On Tuesday, Anarumo was asked by local media about his thoughts on becoming a head coach. He quickly pivoted to focusing on this week’s key divisional matchup against the Houston Texans, but admitted he’d be lying if he said it didn’t cross his mind.
The Indianapolis Colts would hate to lose a near-perfect match just one season after bringing him in, but at the end of the day, it’s hard to fault someone for believing in themselves. Not every franchise is as lucky as the Kansas City Chiefs, whose legendary defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has remained as such throughout their dynastic run. Even then, though, Spagnuolo had his shot when he was the then-St. Louis Rams head coach from 2009-2011.
Lou Anarumo, on the other hand, has not been afforded that opportunity and turns 60 years old next year. The good news for Colts fans is that Anarumo genuinely sounds locked into this season. Perhaps not something to fret over right now, but certainly something to monitor closer to the season’s conclusion.
