Colts Appoint Former Bengals Coach Lou Anarumo to Lead Defense

The Indianapolis Colts have hired former Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo to lead their defense, replacing Gus Bradley who was fired earlier this month.

The Indianapolis Colts have appointed former Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo as their new defensive coordinator. Anarumo, 58, was let go by the Bengals on January 6th, along with other coaches, and will now replace Gus Bradley, who was fired by the Colts on the same day.

Anarumo had been the Bengals' defensive coordinator since 2019, when head coach Zac Taylor was hired. During his tenure, the Bengals won the AFC Championship in 2019, and Anarumo was subsequently sought after for head coaching positions by other teams. However, he chose to remain with the Bengals.

The Bengals' 2024 season was marked by disappointment, as they missed out on a playoff spot for the second consecutive year, finishing with a 9-8 record. Their defense ranked 25th overall and 26th in points per game, allowing 25.5 points per game. The team struggled in close games, losing four one-score games in which they conceded at least 34 points.

Despite these challenges, the Bengals' defense did show some positive signs under Anarumo's leadership. They tied for sixth-most takeaways in the league, with 15 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries. Additionally, they finished with the 21st-ranked pass defense and the 19th-ranked run defense. However, the Bengals' defense only ranked in the top 10 in scoring defense once during Anarumo's tenure, which was in 2022.

Anarumo now faces the task of revitalizing the Colts' defense, which struggled significantly in the 2024 season. The Colts finished with an 8-9 record and ranked 29th in defense and 24th in points per game. Under former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, the Colts' defense ranked in the bottom 10 for three consecutive years.