Shane Steichen Explained

Shane Steichen
Current Team:Indianapolis Colts
Position:Head coach
Birth Date:11 May 1985
Birth Place:Sacramento, California, U.S.
College:UNLV
Pastcoaching:
Pfrcoach:SteiSh0

Shane Steichen (;[1] born May 11, 1985) is an American football head coach for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as an assistant coach for the San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers from 2014 to 2020 and offensive coordinator in 2020, and offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021 and 2022. Steichen also previously served previously as an assistant coach for the Cleveland Browns.[2] [3]

Playing career

Steichen was a four-year letterman as quarterback at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) from 2003 to 2006.[4] His best performance was during his senior year when he came off the bench at the end of the first quarter and tied a UNLV record by throwing five touchdown passes in regulation time in a 39–36 overtime loss to New Mexico at Sam Boyd Stadium on October 14, 2006.[5] Steichen finished his collegiate career with 2,755 yards and 22 touchdowns. He registered 399 rushing yards and five touchdowns.[6] [7]

Coaching career

San Diego Chargers

In 2011, Steichen was hired by the San Diego Chargers as a defensive assistant.[8]

Cleveland Browns

In 2013, Steichen was hired by the Cleveland Browns as an offensive quality control coach under head coach Rob Chudzinski. He assisted the quarterbacks as an offensive quality control coach with the Cleveland Browns.[9] Despite multiple injuries at the position, the Browns had three starting quarterbacks (Jason Campbell, Brian Hoyer and Brandon Weeden) each post 300-yard passing performances for the first time in franchise history (sixth instance in NFL history).

San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers (second stint)

From 2014 to 2015, Steichen served as an offensive quality control coach for the Chargers and worked primarily with the wide receivers. In 2015, Keenan Allen played in the first eight games of the season and caught 67 passes for 725 yards and four touchdowns before being placed on the team's season-ending Injured Reserve list. In 2014, San Diego had four players, including three wide receivers (Keenan Allen, Eddie Royal and Malcom Floyd), reach 50+ receptions for just the fourth time in team history.

In 2016, he was promoted to quarterbacks coach. Over the next four seasons, Philip Rivers ranked second in passing yards (17,824), fourth in completions (1,446) and fourth in touchdown passes (116). He was selected to three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2016 to 2018.

In 2016, Rivers registered the second-most passing touchdowns of his career (33) while completing 349-of-578 passes for 4,386 yards.

As the league's top ranked passing offense in 2017 (276.9 yards per game), Rivers completed 360-of-575 passes for 4,515 yards with 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for a 96.0 passer rating.

On October 30, 2019, Steichen was promoted to interim offensive coordinator by the Los Angeles Chargers after the team fired Ken Whisenhunt.[10] [11] During his tenure as play caller, the unit ranked fifth in the league in total yards per game (384.3), sixth in passing yards per game (272.1) and seventh in third down percentage (42.7 percent).

In 2020, Steichen was promoted to full-time offensive coordinator.[12] [13] Steichen worked with quarterback Justin Herbert, whom the team selected with the sixth overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. The 2020 Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year completed 396-of-595 passes for 4,336 yards with 31 touchdowns with 10 interceptions for a 98.3 passer rating. Herbert set NFL rookie records in completions and passing touchdowns, while registering the second-most passing yards by a rookie in league history (Andrew Luck – 4,374). He finished in the top 10 in the league in completions (fourth), passing yards (sixth) and passing touchdowns (10th). Additionally, wide receiver Keenan Allen caught 100 passes for 992 yards and eight touchdowns en route to Pro Bowl honors.

In Steichen's first full season as the Chargers' offensive coordinator, Los Angeles finished in the top 10 in yards per game (382.1 – ninth), passing yards per game (270.6 – sixth), first downs per game (23.3 – sixth), third down percentage (44.2 percent – ninth) and fewest turnovers (16 – tied-fourth).

Philadelphia Eagles

On January 25, 2021, Steichen was hired by the Philadelphia Eagles as their offensive coordinator under head coach Nick Sirianni.[14] Steichen was instrumental in the development of QB Jalen Hurts, who completed 265-of-432 passes for 3,144 yards with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions for an 87.2 passer rating in his first season as a starter. Hurts also registered 784 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. He became just the eighth quarterback in NFL history to register 3,000 passing yards and 750 rushing yards in a season. Hurts also became the youngest Eagles quarterback to ever start in a playoff game.

DeVonta Smith, whom the team selected with the 10th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, registered 64 receptions for 916 yards and five touchdowns. He set the franchise rookie record in receiving yards. Tight end Dallas Goedert totaled 56 receptions for 830 yards and four touchdowns. Goedert's 830 receiving yards were a single-season career high and ranked fifth in the league among tight ends. Steichen also helped Jason Kelce (First Team) and Lane Johnson (Second Team) each earn Associated Press All-Pro recognition. Kelce was also selected to the Pro Bowl.

In his first season in Philadelphia, Steichen orchestrated the NFL's most productive rushing offense, as the Eagles led the league with a franchise-record 2,715 rushing yards. Philadelphia ranked fourth in third down percentage (then-team-record 45.7 percent), eighth in red zone percentage (62.3 percent) and fifth in fewest turnovers (16).

In 2022, he guided a Philadelphia offense that finished in the top 10 in numerous categories, including yards per game (389.1 – third), points per game (28.1 – third), rushing yards per game (147.6 – fifth), passing yards per game (241.5 – ninth), fewest turnovers (19 – tied-fifth), first downs per game (22.6 – third), third down percentage (franchise-record 45.95 percent – fourth), fourth down percentage (68.75 percent – fourth), red zone percentage (67.80 percent – third), goal to go percentage (82.35 percent – fifth), points scored on their first offensive possession (62 – first) and plays of 10+ yards (253 – second). The Eagles were one of just two teams to finish in the top 10 in rushing yards per game and passing yards per game.

Steichen worked with quarterback Jalen Hurts, who set single-season career highs in every passing category, including completions (306), passing yards (3,701), passing touchdowns (22), completion percentage (66.5) and passer rating (101.5). Hurts also had a team high and single-season career-high 13 rushing touchdowns. He finished fourth in the NFL in passer rating and 10th in passing yards.

Philadelphia was one of just two teams to have two 1,000-yard receivers (A. J. Brown and DeVonta Smith) as well as a 1,000-yard rusher (Miles Sanders). In his first season with Philadelphia, Brown established single-season career highs in receptions (88) and receiving yards (1,496), while tying his single-season career high in receiving touchdowns (11). Smith also had a career year as he caught 95 passes for 1,196 yards and seven touchdowns (all single-season career highs). Brown (fourth) and Smith (ninth) each ranked in the top 10 in receiving yards and Brown tied for third in receiving touchdowns. Sanders finished fifth in the league in rushing after registering 259 carries for 1,269 yards (4.9 avg.) and 11 touchdowns (all single-season career highs).

The Eagles led the NFL with eight total Pro Bowl selections in 2022, which included six on offense in A. J. Brown, Landon Dickerson, Jalen Hurts, Lane Johnson, Jason Kelce and Miles Sanders. Additionally, Lane Johnson (First Team), Jason Kelce (First Team), A. J. Brown (Second Team) and Jalen Hurts (Second Team) each earned Associated Press All-Pro honors.

During his two seasons as offensive coordinator, Steichen coordinated an offense that ranked first in the NFL in rushing yards per game (153.6), rushing yards (5,224) and rushing touchdowns (57) over that time frame. Philadelphia also ranked tied for first in fewest interceptions (19) and third in fourth down conversion percentage (58.92 percent). Additionally, the Eagles offense set new single-season franchise records in third down conversion percentage in back-to-back seasons.

Indianapolis Colts

On February 14, 2023, Steichen was hired by the Indianapolis Colts as their head coach.[15] [16]

2023 season

See also: 2023 Indianapolis Colts season.

Steichen won in his second preseason game 24–17 against the Chicago Bears on August 19, 2023. However, the Colts lost in Steichen's regular season debut against the Jacksonville Jaguars by a score of 21–31 on September 10, 2023. On September 17, 2023, Steichen won his first regular-season game against the Houston Texans by a score of 31–20. Steichen oversaw the development of rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, who drew comparisons coming out of college physically to Steichen's former quarterback Jalen Hurts, before Richardson suffered a season ending shoulder injury in Week 5. From that point on, with Gardner Minshew running the offense, Steichen brought the Colts within one game of a playoff berth, which they ultimately fell short of with a season-ending loss to the Texans.

In Steichen's first year as Colts head coach, the team's offense improved across many metrics, including points per game, yards per game, and total offensive touchdowns, despite key injuries to Richardson and running back Jonathan Taylor.[17]

Head coaching record

Team Year Regular season Postseason
WonLostTiesWin %FinishWon Lost Win % Result
IND20239 8 0 3rd in AFC South
IND20240 0 0
Total 9 8 0 0 0

Personal life

A native of Sacramento, California, Steichen earned his degree in journalism and media studies from UNLV.[18] [19] He attended Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills, California, and earned area MVP honors from the Sacramento Bee after leading his squad to a conference sectional title in 2002.[20] Shortly after graduation, he appeared on contestants' row in a 2003 episode of The Price Is Right but never made it on stage, telling former Eagle Jason Kelce that he was supposed to bid last in a "One Bid" segment but Bob Barker made him go before another contestant, who bid $1 higher than Steichen and was the closest to the actual retail price.[21]

Steichen and his wife, Nina, have a son, Hudson, and a daughter, Stella. Steichen's older brother, Sean, was a punter at Boise State.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: O'Bryan . Ryan . February 14, 2023 . Meet the Indianapolis Colts New Head Coach, Shane Steichen . February 18, 2023 . 99.5 WKDQ. en.
  2. Web site: January 17, 2016 . The Chargers add familiar names to their 2016 coaching staff . February 1, 2019 . FOX Sports.
  3. Web site: Elmquist . Andrew . February 14, 2023 . A Former Browns Coach Is Now Leading The Colts . February 18, 2023 . Browns Nation . en-US.
  4. Web site: Shane Steichen College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits . February 18, 2023 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
  5. Web site: October 14, 2006 . UNLV vs. New Mexico . February 18, 2023 . University of Nevada Las Vegas Athletics . en.
  6. Web site: Shane Steichen . February 15, 2023 . Colts.com . en-US.
  7. Web site: Shane Steichen College Gamelog . February 18, 2023 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
  8. Web site: Frank . Evan . February 12, 2023 . Shane Steichen: 7 things you should know about new Indianapolis Colts head coach . February 18, 2023 . The Indianapolis Star . en-US.
  9. Web site: Kinnan . Cory . February 14, 2023 . New Colts HC had humble beginnings in Cleveland under Rob Chudzinski . February 18, 2023 . Browns Wire . en-US.
  10. Web site: Fischman . Joshua . October 31, 2019 . Shane Steichen Details First Week as Chargers' New O.C. . November 3, 2019 . Chargers.com.
  11. Web site: Zucker . Joseph . October 28, 2019 . OC Ken Whisenhunt Fired by Chargers; Shane Steichen Reportedly Will Call Plays . May 22, 2020 . Bleacher Report . en.
  12. Web site: Miller . Jeff . January 6, 2020 . Chargers expected to keep replacement Shane Steichen as offensive coordinator . May 22, 2020 . Los Angeles Times . en-US.
  13. Web site: Hirschhorn . Jason B. . February 5, 2020 . Chargers Make Shane Steichen Permanent OC, Announce Changes to Coaching Staff . May 22, 2020 . SI.com . en.
  14. Web site: Gowton. Brandon Lee. January 25, 2021. Tracking Eagles coaching staff changes under Nick Sirianni. January 25, 2021. Bleeding Green Nation. en.
  15. Web site: Stankevitz . JJ . February 14, 2023 . Colts Name Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Coordinator Shane Steichen As Head Coach . February 14, 2023 . Colts.com.
  16. Web site: Holder . Stephen . February 14, 2023 . Colts unveil Shane Steichen as head coach to solve QB woes . February 17, 2023 . ESPN.com . en.
  17. Web site: 2023 Indianapolis Colts Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports. www.pro-football-reference.com. en.
  18. Web site: February 14, 2023 . Eagles OC Shane Steichen, a Sacramento-area native, hired as Colts head coach . February 17, 2023 . CBS News . en-US.
  19. Web site: Wallington . Mark . February 14, 2023 . Historic Hire: Former UNLV QB Steichen Named Head Coach Of NFL's Colts . February 17, 2023 . University of Nevada Las Vegas Athletics . en.
  20. Web site: Dapper . Michelle . February 13, 2023 . Former Oak Ridge Trojan Shane Steichen eyed for head coaching role with Indianapolis Colts . February 17, 2023 . KCRA . en.
  21. Web site: Horner . Scott . April 6, 2023 . Colts coach Shane Steichen says Bob Barker ruined his chance to win on 'The Price Is Right' . July 19, 2024 . Indianapolis Star . en.