Colts And Jim Caldwell Part Ways With Special Teams Coach Ray Rychleski

by Brad Wells on Jan 5, 2012 11:03 AM EST in Colts News

The Colts opted not to extend the contract for their special teams coach Ray Rychleski yesterday. This is an NFL euphemism for 'You're fired!'

"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."

This is now the second assistant Jim Caldwell has fired in two months, and it doesn't make Caldwell look especially competent when both the assistants let go were people he handpicked. Caldwell dumped defensive coordinator Ron Meeks and special teams coach Russ Purnell when he succeeded Tony Dungy as head coach in 2009. Caldwell replaced them with Larry Coyer and Rychleski, respectively.

Two years later, Coyer and Rychleski are unemployed. Soon, Caldwell could join them.

It's worth noting that, unlike Meeks and Purnell, both Coyer and Rychleski were well-respected in their areas prior to coaching the Colts. Jim Irsay and others can call Coyer a 'bad hire' all they want. He was, by all accounts, respected in the locker room, and his resume as a defensive coordinator in Denver was very strong.

Coyer might not have been a good 'fit' in Indy because he feels that blitzing is the most effective way to pressure opposing QBs, but Caldwell and the Colts had to know that going in. If they didn't, Caldwell's an even bigger idiot than his critics have claimed.

Rychleski's resume was also strong, but almost exclusively in the college ranks. There is no doubt (at least, for me) that he improved the Colts special teams. He seemed more energized and focused on the task than Purnell ever was. It's also worth noting that it was Rychleski who pushed for the Colts to draft Pat McAfee, and it was also Rychleski who wanted McAfee on kickoffs.

I'll admit I'm a little partial to Coach Rych because of the interview I did with him at Super Bowl XLIV. I spoke to him several times in Miami. After I published the interview, he came up to me the next day and told me his girlfriend read the article and loved it. Nice guy. Good coach. I don't think it was his fault the outgoing front office simply did not care about finding quality special teams players.

I wish coach the best of luck finding a new gig, which I think he will in the college ranks.

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Again...

I think personnel by large account was why special teams always sucked

Bill and Chris Polian are better talent evaluators than you, count on it.

Follow me on Twitter: @MrCrayZ

by GoHorse88 on Jan 5, 2012 11:10 AM EST reply actions

Agree

Glad he got McAfee. He was the only that would tackle on special teams. My wife and I had a McAfee counter one game. 4 special teams tackles. That’s insane for a kicker. Not enough quality special teams talent.

by reedrc82 on Jan 5, 2012 11:26 AM EST reply actions

What makes you think these coaches were “hand-picked” by Caldwell? It’s the front office that is in charge of hiring and firing, and it is at their feet that you place the blame for literally every single other move that you disagree with. You attacked Caldwell as a stooge and puppet at every chance you got. But now suddenly he calls the shots 100%? According to your other theories (and reality) that’d have been ridiculous last week. It’s even more ridiculous right now, when he’s completely in limbo. They’re not going to commit to anything that he wants unless and until it’s decided that he’s what they want at coach next year. They let a contract lapse because it was either up or it needed to be re-signed, which is a decision they’re not going to make yet. That’s really all this is.

(Disclaimer: I think it doesn’t matter who the ST coach is. With the way the roster has been constructed they just don’t have the talent. Even Toub would field a bottom third special teams unit with the Colts rosters of the last decade. I’m not sure I agree with the notion that the ST is greatly improved given that there aren’t really any numbers other than touchbacks (which are up leaguewide) that support that claim, but I agree that it’s unfair to label him a bad coach. I support the move not to renew only because there’s really no reason not to keep trying different things. I like Ray a lot too. He’ll land on his feet somewhere.)

by willyduer on Jan 5, 2012 11:44 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

Agreed

So now BBS claims Caldwell is the mastermind hand picking staff.. wow. but before he was just a puppet in the Polians show.
I feel this blog is going to become a Caldwell hate site since the Polians are now gone.

by 67ChevILL on Jan 5, 2012 1:03 PM EST up reply actions

Gotta hate somebody

Isn’t that point of blogs and bloggers? To complain about things?

What do I really have left in life but this place? It ain't much of a home, but it's all I got. Well, g******it. I'll be damned if I let some foreign, graffiti writin', soul suckin', son of a bitch in an oversized cowboy hat and boots take my friend's souls and sh** 'em down the visitors toilet!

by Guy LeDouche on Jan 5, 2012 1:05 PM EST up reply actions

i guess so....reminds me of BBS

HATE HATE HATE

by 67ChevILL on Jan 5, 2012 1:12 PM EST up reply actions

ROFL

while Silky is looking at a picture of the Osbournes; I like the girl’s song “Papa Don’t Preach”. I got a new song for ya it’s called “Daughter Don’t Sing”.

by Straight Out The Burbs on Jan 5, 2012 2:55 PM EST up reply actions

sounds about right

unfortunately the whole colts nation including writers/bloggers are on the blame this person and speculation. Fact and the ONLY Fact is we don’t know who really was PULLING THE STRINGS. But we suspect that Caldwell didn’t pull the strings.

When you say Coyer wanted to blitz – how? with sub standard personell at the CB position. You can’t blitz without CB that can play man to man. Everyone knows 3 seconds is the mark from go if you don’t sack the QB in 3 seconds your CB are going to get burned.

by kbreboot on Jan 5, 2012 5:19 PM EST up reply actions

good luck Coach Ray

hope to see you out downtown tryin to pick up women again. Hope you saved some of your paychecks though, itll be tough buying shots with no money!!

by bigpony on Jan 5, 2012 11:46 AM EST reply actions

Rychleski Blows

by Blue Report on Jan 5, 2012 11:48 AM EST reply actions

Chicken or The Egg??

Over the years, the defense was at best mediocre and the special teams were just dreadful.

But….was it lack of coaching or lack of talent?? Guess we’ll find out.

by Guy LeDouche on Jan 5, 2012 1:04 PM EST reply actions

promblem was not the coaching on ST- it was all the players are under size and no one could block or tackle do to thier size..

by 67ChevILL on Jan 5, 2012 1:04 PM EST reply actions

Part of the problem

is that the Colts refuse to play starters on ST in key moments, which results in rookie mistakes by rookies and UDFA rookies.

The rest of the problem is that the Colts have been failing at ST for so long and refuse to care, no matter how many playoff games it cost them over the years.

I don't always drink beer....but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.

by AceOfSpades on Jan 5, 2012 8:50 PM EST up reply actions