Colts Hire Former Bengals Defensive Coordinator Lou Anarumo
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INDIANAPOLIS – A change in defensive approach is happening for the Colts.
The new defensive coordinator hire is one who has helped spearhead a unit that’s reached the mountain top, but also one that was recently near the bottom of the NFL.
On Monday afternoon, the Colts reportedly agreed to terms with former Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
After 6 years as defensive coordinator of the Bengals, the 58-year-old Anarumo was fired by Cincinnati earlier this month, but his unemployment stay will end thanks to Shane Steichen and the Colts.
“I’m thrilled to add Lou Anarumo as our defensive coordinator,” Steichen said in a team release. “With many years of coaching experience, Lou is a proven leader who will demand the best out of our players. His strategic mindset and unique scheme will be invaluable as we build a fast and disciplined defensive unit.”
Anarumo, at his best, is known for a multiple-coverage defensive coordinator, with a heavy background in the defensive secondary.
When Cincinnati has had its impressive seasons in 2020 and 2021, Anarumo’s defense played a huge role in ratting a variety of quarterbacks, including making game-sealing plays on a routine basis.
Patrick Mahomes, in particular, had notable issues against Anarumo defenses. During those Bengals playoff runs, teams often saw their offensive production wane as the game went along against Anarumo’s units.
While there are no direct connections between Anarumo and Shane Steichen, the Colts head coach has come away impressed by his new DC during prior meetings.
In the 2020 season opener, Anarumo’s defense in Cincy held Steichen’s offense, as the then play-calling Chargers OC, to just 16 points (1 touchdown in 13 offensive drives).
Anarumo once again had Steichen’s number in December 2023, with the Colts scoring just 1 offensive touchdown on 10 drives in a 34-13 loss to the Bengals.
Back during a 2024 preseason meeting between the Colts and Bengals, Steichen offered a hat tip to a “unique, rare look” Anarumo threw at Steichen, which led to an Anthony Richardson incompletion.
“On the coverage, they were playing a cloud match carry coverage and we were just trying to wrap around,” Steichen said after the matchup with Anarumo. “It was a unique look. It’s a great teaching moment for us as coaches, too, just like if we get this look, this is a rare look that comes up, this is how we need to run this, so it will be good teaching.”
Blitz rate was a hot-button topic under former Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley.
In Cincinnati, the Bengals benefitted from having top-sacker Trey Hendrickson, which contributed to them not being a high blitz-rate bunch.
During the 6 seasons under Anarumo, the Bengals had the following blitz percentage rankings: 21st, 26th, 22nd, 17th, 15th, 10th.
Questions in the Anarumo run was an inability to develop much young talent, particularly in his later years.
When veteran safeties Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell departed, the Bengals struggled big time. Safety play has been a question for the Colts in recent years.
In Indy, Anarumo will arrive to a defense returning 9 of 11 starters (LB-E.J. Speed and S-Julian Blackmon are free agents).
The arrival of Anarumo could bring some personnel tweaks to the Indy personnel, which will certainly be something to watch as the Colts offseason starts to unfold.
From a local standpoint, Anarumo did spend 8 seasons (2004-11) at Purdue as their defensive backs coach. From there, Anarumo joined the Dolphins for before becoming the Cincinnati DC in 2019.
Colts fans wanting coordinator change, expect Anarumo to bring a slight uptick in blitz pressure, putting more of an emphasis in coverage disguise than Bradley.
Anarumo will be introduced to local media on Thursday at 9:00 AM eastern.
