6 Possible Replacements for Colts Head Coaching Position

This was not how the Indianapolis Colts season was supposed to go. First, it was thought Peyton Manning would miss about half the season.

Then, the bottom fell out. This could be the signature reason why teams need to plan for the future and not count on one athlete to carry a franchise. When it came time to begin "Life without Peyton," the Indianapolis Colts looked clueless.

But it wasn't just Manning that went wrong for this team. When they lost free agents in Clint Session and Bob Sanders, the defense looked ordinary. The offense could not get out of its own way and the players they did have were not able to pick up the slack.

I am reminded of a picture of Reggie Wayne standing on the sideline during the team's loss to Jacksonville earlier this year. it was drawn and sad, unforgiving and then stoic.

These Colts need help. They could be in line for the top pick in the draft, which might yield them Andrew Luck. They also may need a new coach as current leader Jim Caldwell may not be back in 2012. There are other questions to answer:

What happens to Peyton Manning?

Do they trade for another running back?

Do Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney remain in the mix together as a pass rushing combo?

Will they find more help in the middle to aid Pat Angerer?

The most pressing issues obviously are Manning and Caldwell. While there has not been much mention of the head coaching position, it is assumed there is some heat under the seat upon which Caldwell sits.

One story even has him linked to Penn State after the season. Some pundits even wonder what the team is really playing for in the season finale against the Jaguars. Lose and they get Andrew Luck. Win and they may not get the quarterback they want.

If Caldwell is gone after Jan. 1, here are some candidates to look at to replace him in Indianapolis.

Norv Turner

He is going to land somewhere. He is a proven offensive mind. He has had great passers to work with in Troy Aikman and Philip Rivers.

Could the Colts be a landing spot if the Spanos family does let him go after the season with general manager AJ Smith?

Scott Linehan

The offensive coordinator in Detroit has made the Lions a formidable scoring machine.

With Luck at quarterback and a decent receiving corps with Donald Brown carrying the rock, could he be the choice to resurrect this team?

Linehan was not successful in St. Louis, but this may be a great fit for him to rebuild this team.

Herm Edwards

He has a great position at ESPN right now. But could the lure of working with Luck and/or Manning persuade him to coach again?

Edwards has a good defensive mind and adding the right offensive coordinator in Indy would sure help.

Edwards is a well-respected coach who has already made the NFL rounds with New York and Kansas City.

Les Miles

I throw this one out here like a curve ball.

After each college and pro season, there are coaches who tease us with a jump to the NFL. Nick Saban and Steve Spurrier come to mind.

Miles has built a solid program at LSU, where I think he is one of the most underrated coaches in college sports.

If the NFL reaches into the college pool this season, could Miles be the name everyone goes after. If so, would the Colts take a chance?

Romeo Crennel

If he is not considered for the job in Kansas City, could Crennel work in Indianapolis?

A former head coach in Cleveland as well as an assistant under Bill Bellichick in New England, he knows a little something about playing against the Colts.

It would be interesting to see if he would fit in as the head man to lead the Colts.

Tony Dungy

You know this will come up at some point.

There is your former head coach sitting in a chair on NBC critiquing the team's play. Don't you think he sometimes wonders what he would have done in a particular situation?

It has happened before with other teams. It can happen again. However, this is severely doubtful.