INDIANAPOLIS -- Frank Reich arrived in Indianapolis more than six months ago having not even been on general manager Chris Ballard's initial list of top candidates to be the franchise's next head coach. Reich, the offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles last season, didn't get an interview during the initial search that ended with Josh McDaniels backing out of his verbal commitment to the Colts at the last minute.
Reich, who blew away Ballard and owner Jim Irsay in his interview to get the job, faced the challenge of being a first-time head coach along with dealing with a young roster that featured very few core players.