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According to The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain, the Chicago Bears have put in a request to interview Indianapolis Colts defensive backs coach Jonathan Gannon for their open defensive coordinator position—having had a new coaching vacancy after former Colts head coach Chuck Pagano recently retired:
The Bears put in a request to interview Colts DBs coach Jonathan Gannon for defensive coordinator, a source told The Athletic.
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) January 18, 2021
Gannon just finished his third season as Indianapolis’ defensive backs/cornerbacks coach (2018-2020). Prior to joining the Colts, Gannon was a member of the Minnesota Vikings (2014-17) and Tennessee Titans coaching staffs (2012-13). He also previously served as a scout with the St. Louis Rams (2009-11).
He’s been instrumental in the development of some of the Colts young defensive backs such as Kenny Moore, Khari Willis, and Julian Blackmon.
He was also a critical influence in having veteran cornerback Xavier Rhodes sign with the Colts—while helping him regain a lot of his prior shutdown form during the 2020 season:
Gannon's one of the Colts' most respected position coaches, and was key in recruiting Xavier Rhodes to Indy and helping him to his best season in years. Been told Gannon has the makings of future DC for years. https://t.co/ROTCrZdLIV
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) January 18, 2021
Meanwhile, regarding Colts quarterbacks coach Marcus Brady, SI.com’s Albert Breer writes Monday that Brady could be a top candidate for the Houston Texans vacant offensive coordinator gig—should Buffalo Bills assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier ultimately obtain the Texans’ head coaching job:
6) I think Leslie Frazier has a real shot in Houston, and there’s an interesting offensive coordinator name attached to his candidacy: Colts quarterbacks coach Marcus Brady. Brady’s very well-regarded in Indy and has an interesting resume, with much of his professional career, both as a player and coach, spent in Canada.
Like Gannon, Brady just finished his third season on the Colts coaching staff—except he’s been coaching quarterbacks such as Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, and Jacob Eason. He was promoted from the Colts assistant quarterbacks coach in 2018.
A standout at Cal State Northridge at quarterback, Gannon went undrafted and played for the CFL from 2002-08. He later served as the Montreal Alouettes wide receivers coach (2009-11) and offensive coordinator (2012), as well as the Toronto Argonauts offensive coordinator (2013-17).
Similar to Gannon, he’s another highly respected coach among the Colts coaching staff:
Marcus Brady also a candidate to be Texans OC under Leslie Frazier. Another highly respected position coach who has been working hard this year with Jacob Eason, in addition to Rivers and Brissett.
— George Bremer (@gmbremer) January 18, 2021
However, the issue with joining the Texans coaching staff is the long-term future of unhappy superstar quarterback Deshaun Watson—as that could make or break the franchise’s immediate success (and NFL coaching staffs typically have a short shelf-life without meaningful results in the first few seasons).
Of course, if you’re a Colts fan, you’re hoping the Horseshoe can keep its well regarded coaching staff in tact for at least one more season during 2021 (and if not to Indianapolis, Watson is traded outside the AFC South).
It’s worth noting that Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus remains a candidate for the Houston Texans open head coaching job as well.