Why Chuck Pagano is Just the Man to Rebuild Indianapolis Colts' Franchise

According to Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star, the Colts have hired former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano as the franchise's new head coach.

That said, is Pagano the right man for the job?

Yes, because the Colts needed a defensive-minded head coach to revamp one of the NFL's worst defenses from the 2011 season.

And if recent history tells us anything about the Indianapolis Colts and a defensive-oriented head coach, it's that success is not too far away. After the 2001 NFL season the Colts were looking for a new head coach and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had just parted ways with Tony Dungy.

Well, Dungy then made the move to Circle City and the Colts became one the NFL's best franchises the next seven years.

Lest we forget, Dungy played defensive back for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1977 and '78 as well as the San Francisco 49ers in 1979. Shortly thereafter, Dungy came into coaching and began as the Steelers defensive backfield coach in 1981.

Remaining a defensive back/coordinator coach with other franchises in Kansas City and Minnesota, Dungy brought defense to Indy in 2002.

As for Pagano, he's served as a defensive-minded coach since 1987 with Boise State University.

In coaching the secondary, linebackers, throughout the years for other institutions and franchises, Pagano earned his first defensive coordinator position at the pro level in 2011 with the Baltimore Ravens.

There, the Ravens finished with the NFL's No. 3 overall defense and were ranked inside the Top Five against the rush and pass. Had it not been for a stout defense all season long, Baltimore would have been lucky to win the AFC North as the offense was inconsistent.

Now, the situation in Indianapolis is certainly not an easy one.

For starters, Pagano doesn't have the talent like the Ravens had but then again, everyone has to start somewhere. Worst case-scenario for Pagano is that he ends up like current Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.

LeBeau didn't succeed as a head coach but has thrived strictly as a defensive coordinator. However, as long as Pagano understands the importance of fielding a complete team, not just a defensively dominant team, then he'll succeed.

If there's any evidence as to why certain coaches don't succeed in the pros, it's because they neglected to acknowledge the importance of the other side of the ball. Perhaps Buddy Ryan is the best example of this.

When with the Chicago Bears, Buddy created the 46 defense. But when getting a head coach position with the Philadelphia Eagles, Ryan failed to improve the offense around a great quarterback in Randall Cunningham.

Long story short, the Eagles underachieved.

With the Colts, Pagano has the opportunity to draft Andrew Luck and either start him right away or have him learn from Peyton Manning, pending on what Manning decides.

That said, there are pieces in play for the Colts with Dwight Freeney and Pat Angerer. Offensively, they have a capable ground game and a reliable receiving corps, so Pagano just needs to address the quarterback situation and build the defense.

And since defense is his strength, the Indianapolis Colts have hired the right man.

John Rozum on Twitter.