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According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Indianapolis Colts defensive backs coach Jonathan Gannon will interview for the Los Angeles Chargers open defensive coordinator position—having already received a prior interview request from the Chicago Bears:
The #Chargers will interview #Colts defensive backs coach Jonathan Gannon for their defensive coordinator job on Brandon Staley’s staff, source said. Gannon was a popular name on several prospective head coach staff lists after thriving in Indy, and he also spoke with the #Bears.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 21, 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.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard already credited Gannon with his role in bringing lockdown cornerback Xavier Rhodes to Indianapolis on at least a one-year stint in 2020—while helping him to largely regain his prior All-Pro form with the Minnesota Vikings:
“Xavier had a heck of a year,” said Ballard last week in his end-of-season press conference.
“(He) really bought into what we are doing. I give Jonathan Gannon (Colts cornerbacks coach) a lot of credit for that. He had a relationship with Xavier from Minnesota. Xavier worked and bought into everything we’re doing.”
Gannon and new Chargers head coach Brandon Staley are reportedly very close—and Gannon is a ‘red hot’ defensive coordinator candidate right now among NFL openings:
We discussed Jonathan Gannon's stock here in @theMMQB (https://t.co/augQ2TBoVJ). He's red hot. Would be Josh McDaniels' DC in Philly. Is a leading candidate in Atlanta.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 21, 2021
FYI: Gannon and Staley are VERY close. They'd been lined up as co-DCs on McDaniels' Cleveland staff in '20. https://t.co/uJDW3PpeuB
Meanwhile, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero is also reporting that the Jacksonville Jaguars have requested to interview Colts quarterbacks coach Marcus Brady for their offensive coordinator vacancy:
The #Jaguars have requested an interview with #Colts QB coach Marcus Brady for their offensive coordinator job, source said.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 21, 2021
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 in 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).
If hired, Brady would join Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer’s new coaching staff and would be tasked as offensive coordinator—and with his obvious quarterback background, of presumably helping to develop and transition projected #1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence to the NFL—so that the young phenom can reach both initial and long-term success.
Currently, the Colts have a number of coaches being highly considered for head coaching and coordinator positions alike, which speaks to the quality of their entire coaching staff.
Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberlus remains a head coaching candidate for the Houston Texans and is firmly in the mix, while offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni is a serious candidate for the Philadelphia Eagles head coaching job respectively.