Colts Retain Coaching Staff, Cooter to Stay in Indianapolis

Indianapolis Colts keep offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter and passing game coordinator Alex Tanney after multiple teams expressed interest in hiring them.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 4:39pm

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The Indianapolis Colts will retain their coaching staff for the 2026 season, including offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter and passing game coordinator Alex Tanney. Both Cooter and Tanney interviewed for the offensive coordinator position with the New York Giants, but the Giants ultimately went in a different direction. The Colts' offense had a strong start to the 2025 season but struggled in the second half after quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a torn Achilles. Head coach Shane Steichen, Cooter, and Tanney will get another chance to lead the Colts' offense in 2026.

Why it matters

Retaining the coaching staff provides continuity for the Colts' offense, which showed promise early in the 2025 season before injuries derailed their success. Keeping Cooter and Tanney, who were highly sought after for coordinator jobs, signals the Colts' commitment to building on their offensive foundation and giving the unit another opportunity to reach its full potential.

The details

The Colts let four different teams interview their coordinators, but every team went in a different direction. The Giants, who had hired John Harbaugh as their head coach, requested interviews with both Cooter and Tanney for their offensive coordinator position. Cooter also held two meetings with the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite the interest, the Colts will retain their offensive staff, including Cooter as the offensive coordinator and Tanney as the passing game coordinator.

  • The Colts' offense had a historic start to the 2025 season, breaking records and scoring on nearly every drive.
  • In the second half of the 2025 season, the Colts' offense struggled after quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a torn Achilles.
  • The Colts interviewed with the Giants and Eagles for their offensive coordinator positions in the 2026 offseason.

The players

Jim Bob Cooter

The Indianapolis Colts' offensive coordinator, who was interviewed for the same position with the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles.

Alex Tanney

The Indianapolis Colts' passing game coordinator, who was also interviewed for the offensive coordinator position with the New York Giants.

Shane Steichen

The Indianapolis Colts' head coach, who will continue to lead the team's offense in 2026.

Daniel Jones

The Indianapolis Colts' quarterback, who suffered a torn Achilles in the 2025 season, leading to a decline in the team's offensive production.

Alec Pierce

The Indianapolis Colts' wide receiver, who had a breakout 1,000-yard season in 2025 and is expected to return to the team in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Colts OC Jim Bob Cooter and passing game coordinator Alex Tanney also interviewed for the Giants OC position. Both now poised to return to Indy in 2026.”

— Andrew Moore (Twitter)

What’s next

The Colts have several key personnel decisions to make, including whether to re-sign quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce, who were both integral to the team's offensive success in 2025.

The takeaway

The Colts' decision to retain their coaching staff, including offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter and passing game coordinator Alex Tanney, signals their commitment to building on the offensive foundation they established in 2025. With continuity in the coaching ranks, the Colts will look to bounce back from their second-half struggles and recapture the offensive prowess they displayed earlier in the season.