INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts have fired six assistant coaches.
According to a press release from the team, the Colts parted ways with Defensive Coordinator Greg Manusky, Safeties Coach Roy Anderson, Secondary Coach Mike Gillhamer, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Roger Marandino, Tight Ends Coach Alfredo Roberts and Running Backs Coach Charlie Williams.
#Colts let go 6 assistants: DC Greg Manusky S Roy Anderson DB Mike Gillhamer Strength Roger Marandino TE Alfedo Roberts RB Charlie Williams
— Dave Furst (@DaveFurst) January 6, 2016
Manusky, 49, had been with the Colts for four years.
The Colts were the 26th ranked defense in yards allowed in the NFL out of 32 teams this past season, and 25th in points allowed, giving up an average of 25.5 per game. The team did tie for the league lead with four interceptions returned for touchdowns, but failed to consistently keep teams from driving down the field on them.
This on the heels of the 2014 season when the Colts finished 11th in the league in yards allowed on their way to an 11-5 finish and an AFC Championship appearance, albeit one in which they were beaten up on by the New England Patriots, 45-7.
The 2014 season was an improvement on the 2013 and 2012 seasons, when the team finished 20th and 26th in the NFL in yards allowed, only to see a steep regression in 2015.
Some pointed to the Colts' offensive problems and their inability to sustain a drive or protect the football as the source of the defensive issues this past year, even leading to the firing of then-offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton just past mid-way through the regular season. But it appears the organization feels it needs a new leader on the defensive side of the ball as well to improve on their 8-8 record.
Prior to the Colts, Manusky spent one season as the DC for the San Diego Chargers, and before that, four years as the Dallas Cowboys' DC. He was a former linebacker who retired in 2000
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