The Indianapolis Colts haven’t decided whether head coach Jim Caldwell will return next year. But Caldwell has decided that one of his assistants will not return next year.
The team announced today that it will not renew the contract of special teams coordinator Ray Rychleski, and according to the official announcement that the Colts distributed to the media, that was Caldwell’s decision.
“I felt we needed to make a change and head in a new direction,” Caldwell said in a statement. “Although the special teams unit made some improvement as the season progressed, it was not enough to continue our current situation. We appreciate Ray’s service and hard work during his three seasons with the team.”
It’s a little odd that Caldwell is deciding the future of other coaches when his own future hasn’t been determined, but Rychelski might be better off getting to look for other jobs now, as it’s still entirely possible the entire coaching staff will be sent packing later.
Rychleski is the second Colts coordinator to lose his job because of the disastrous season in Indianapolis; defensive coordinator Larry Coyer was fired during the season. Bill Polian thinks he was fired because of the backup quarterback situation, but heads are rolling in Indianapolis for problems with every phase of the game.