Colts head Coach Frank Reich lauds Matt Eberflus for leadership, intensity

Reich was named Colts Coach Feb 11, 2018, five days after Josh McDaniels changed his after accepting the job. Eberflus was Hired as a defensive Coordinator before McDaniels backed out, but remained in place when the Reich took over. The two men bonded over faith, family and, of course, football.

“There was a real quick connection,” Reich said. “Both very principle-centered, family-oriented, obviously love everything about ball. Both connected on a faith basis. Different ways of expressing that; I’m maybe a little bit louder with that than ‘Flus’ would be, but the commonality there was really good.

“I think we were both very process-oriented. We live in a results-oriented business, but the importance of practicing hard, the importance of practicing at game speed, we were both very linked up right there. So, that made it easy for us to grow in that relationship over the four years. “

Reich praised Eberflus Tuesday for playing a huge role in helping create a winning culture with the Colts and the sizeable impact they made on the organization.

“I just think of the world of Matt personally and professionally,” Reich said.

Under Eberflus, the Colts finished in the top 10 in the NFL in run defense and takeaways in all four of his years, the top 10 in points allowed three times, and were the least penalized defense in the league in 2019 and 2021.

“He’s going to play his system, and it was very methodical,” Reich said. “There was a progression to it, which I think is important. The other thing I think is important that I saw over the four years is he adapted, which is what we all want to do as coaches. You’ve got to adapt it. what your players do best.You’ve got to adapt to what the offense is doing.

“Flus has shown a good ability to come in with a system, and really ‘Let’s nail down these fundamental principles, but then let’s also be willing to adapt. And let’s also have a vision to incorporate that into what our players do best and how we counter what we’re seeing from the opposing team. ‘”