'No regrets': Patriots OC Josh McDaniels speaks about Colts job three years after backing out
In another multiverse, perhaps this game is being billed differently.
Maybe in that universe, the narrative about Saturday’s game is the matchup between Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels, the teacher and the student, as the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots prepare to face off in a crucial Week 15 showdown, one with playoff implications.
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But this isn’t that universe. Three years ago, McDaniels backed out of the Colts head coach job three weeks after accepting the position to remain the Patriots offensive coordinator. Speaking ahead of Saturday’s matchup though, McDaniels made it clear he is happy with his current situation.
"You move forward and you do everything you can within your power to make those decisions the right ones,” he said. "That’s what I’ve tried to do every day. I certainly have no regrets about what has transpired since then.”
McDaniels had just lost Super Bowl LII when he was announced as the 20th head coach in Colts’ franchise history, taking over following the five-year reign of Chuck Pagano. But instead of taking owner Jim Irsay’s private plane from Boston to Indianapolis for his introductory news conference, McDaniels withdrew his name from consideration, despite already hiring members of his new staff.
“I think every year I have tried to learn and grow as a coach and as a person,” McDaniels said. “You make decisions in life and in your career that you feel like are the best decisions for you and your familiar, which is certainly what happened then."
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The incident left the Colts (7-6) in a precarious position, with general manager Chris Ballard saying he was disappointed and surprised at McDaniels' decision, especially since a contract had already been agreed upon.
Ballard then left his news conference by saying the rivalry was back on, and hired former Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich, who beat McDaniels and Belichick in Super Bowl LII.
In his three years at the helm, Indianapolis is 35-26 and has made the playoffs in two of his three full seasons. Belichick and McDaniels won Super Bowl LIII the next season, but the Patriots offensive coordinator had only compliments for the Colts coaching staff and front office, which were forced to work through the chaos.
"I know they have done a great job,” McDaniels said. “They have a tremendous staff. Coach Reich does a great job. Chris Ballard is obviously tremendous in his role and what they do in their organization is pretty special.”
Despite the rivalry, Indianapolis has lost eight straight games to New England, including the infamous 2015 AFC Championship game — quarterback Andrew Luck’s best chance at a title. McDaniels, who spent a two-year stint as head coach of the Denver Broncos from 2008-2010, going 11-17 before he was fired, hasn’t returned to lead a franchise since, remaining by Belichick’s side.
“I’ve learned a lot being here,” he said. “This is a great place to be. I learn from Bill (Belichick) daily, weekly under his guidance. He really challenges me to try and improve each year and I have tried to do that myself. That’s really what any of us can do, but very fortunate to be where I am at and I am looking forward to this week.”
The Colts and Patriots (9-4) will kick off Saturday, Dec. 18 at Lucas Oil Stadium in primetime. Indianapolis currently holds the No. 6 seed as a wild card, while New England is looking to extend its division lead over the Buffalo Bills and keep the No. 1 seed in its grasp.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts NFL football: Patriots OC has no regrets about bailing on Indy
