Colts Reportedly Ask to Interview Patriots OC McDaniels, Panthers DC Wilks

The Indianapolis Colts have asked permission to interview New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to fill their head coaching vacancy, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Colts have also asked to interview Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

Sunday, the Colts fired Chuck Pagano as head coach following a six-year tenure that saw him go 53-43 with three playoff appearances, but none in the last three years.

Since 2001, McDaniels has spent 13 years with the Patriots organization in various coaching roles, the last six as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. McDaniels was hired as the Denver Broncos’ head coach during the 2009 offseason. He was fired before the conclusion of the 2010 season, totaling an 11-17 record.

The Patriots have a bye week this week in the wild card round of the playoffs, so the interview may be conducted this week if approved.

As of the time of this publishing, McDaniels also has been asked to interview for the New York Giants’ head coaching position.

Wilks has been an NFL coaching assistant since 2006. He was the defensive backs coach with the Chicago Bears from 2006-’08, held the same title with the then-San Diego Chargers from 2009-’11 and then moved to the Panthers in 2012, where he has worked his way up to defensive coordinator. Wilks has been the assistant head coach since 2015, and defensive coordinator since 2017.

The Bears and Detroit Lions have also requested to interview Wilks.

While Ballard hasn’t worked with McDaniels, Ballard and Wilks were both in Chicago together.