INDIANAPOLIS – Continuity on Shane Steichen’s coaching staff won’t include two defensive assistants.
The Indianapolis Colts decided not to renew the contracts of defensive line coach Nate Ollie and assistant defensive backs coach Mike Mitchell, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Indystar was first with the development.
During his post-season meeting with the media, Steichen downplayed possible staff changes.
“I believe in continuity, I’ll say that,’’ he said.
The decision to part ways with Ollie seems strange considering the level of success posted by his group.
The Colts set a franchise record with 51 sacks and Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo, the team’s top two picks in the 2021 draft, showed marked progress. Paye, a first-round pick, set career highs with 8.5 sacks and 52 tackles. Odeyingbo, a second-rounder in ’21, also set career bests with 8 sacks and 32 tackles.
Also, free-agent acquisition Samson Ebukam led the team with 9.5, which also was a career-high.
Ollie and Mitchell were with the Colts the past two seasons. Mitchell spent the final year of his 10-year playing career with the Colts in 2018.
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