INDIANAPOLIS — Former Broncos defensive coordinator Larry Coyer has been hired to run the Indianapolis Colts’ defense, the team announced today.
Coyer spent the last two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and previously spent seven years with the Broncos, the final four as defensive coordinator. He was dismissed from that job before the 2007 season, when the Broncos hired Jim Bates as their defensive coordinator.
The Colts also announced wide receivers coach Clyde Christensen will be assistant head coach and University of South Carolina assistant Ray Rychleski will become special-teams coordinator.
The hiring of Coyer and Rychleski, who worked with Caldwell in the college ranks, had been expected since Caldwell informed his
coaching staff of the moves. The promotion of Christensen was not a surprise, either, since all three have long ties to Caldwell.
Coyer and Caldwell spent four seasons together at Iowa, while Rychleski and Caldwell worked on the same staff at Penn State and
Wake Forest. And Christensen served on former coach Tony Dungy’s staff the past 13 seasons, the last eight alongside Caldwell.
Colts spokesman Craig Kelley said Caldwell and team president Bill Polian would have no additional comments today.
Dungy resigned Jan. 12 after seven seasons leading the Colts, including one Super Bowl title.
