Shane Steichen
Indianapolis Colts Head Coach.
Quick Facts
- Role: Head Coach
- Team: Indianapolis Colts (IND)
- Coaching tree: see Coaching Trees
Background
Shane Steichen is the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, known as an outstanding playcaller. He was mentioned in multiple 2026 season articles as the Colts' head coach overseeing the team's recovery efforts with quarterback Daniel Jones.
2026 Outlook
Steichen enters 2026 in a critical "prove-it" year after a disappointing 2025 season. The Colts started 8-2 and led the league in offensive EPA per play through the first 13 weeks, but suffered seven consecutive losses to finish 8-9. Daniel Jones' Achilles tear during the collapse raised questions about Steichen's leadership and ability to sustain success. PFF ranked him among the six NFL head coaches "on the hot seat," noting his 25-26 record over three years with zero playoff appearances. The Colts re-signed Jones and receiver Alec Pierce to "monster contracts" but still face defensive concerns (21st in success rate in 2025). The expectation is clear: if Indianapolis starts flat or misses the postseason again in 2026, Steichen is unlikely to reach a fifth year as HC (per PFF lists Colts Shane Steichen among '6 NFL head coaches on hot seat'). National observers also flagged Steichen's job security heading into Week 1. It's rare for NFL coaches to miss the playoffs four times to start their tenure and retain their position; Steichen's 0-for-3 playoff record suggests 2026 is effectively his final chance, though injury excuses (including Jones' torn Achilles in 2025) complicate the narrative (per Which coaches are on the hot seat heading into the NFL season? Aaron Glenn of the Jets leads the list]).
Recent News
- 2026-07-24 — NFL Playcallers: Previewing Schemes of 2026 NFL Offenses (NFL Playcallers: Previewing Schemes of 2026 NFL Offenses)
- 2026-10-16 — Eagles’ Jalen Hurts is ‘out indefinitely’: 5 outside options to replace him, including... (Eagles’ Jalen Hurts is ‘out indefinitely’: 5 outside options to replace him, including...)
- 2026-08-05 — Top 10 offensive and defensive play-callers entering 2026: Sean McVay, Mike Macdonald... (Top 10 offensive and defensive play-callers entering 2026: Sean McVay, Mike Macdonald...)
- 2026-10-14 — NFL Week 6 latest intel, buzz questions, news, fantasy tips: What we're hearing (NFL Week 6 latest intel, buzz questions, news, fantasy tips: What we're hearing)
- 2026-10-02 — Week 4 NFL Coaching Hot Seat: Firing List Grows (Week 4 NFL Coaching Hot Seat: Firing List Grows)
- 2026-10-05 — Which NFL Coaches Are on the Hot Seat and Why More Jobs May Open Than You Expect (Again) (Which NFL Coaches Are on the Hot Seat and Why More Jobs May Open Than You Expect (Again))
- 2026-10-15 — NFL coaches on the hot seat: Predicting the first coach fired and who's next (NFL coaches on the hot seat: Predicting the first coach fired and who's next)
- 2026-10-08 — NFL trade deadline: 10 candidates who could be on the move and teams that could be... (NFL trade deadline: 10 candidates who could be on the move and teams that could be...)
- 2026-05-26 — Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings For 2026: Brock Bowers, Tucker Kraft and More (Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings For 2026: Brock Bowers, Tucker Kraft and More)
- 2026-09-15 — 2026 NFL Power Rankings: How all 32 teams stack up for Week 2 (2026 NFL Power Rankings: How all 32 teams stack up for Week 2)