The Indianapolis Colts are hiring Lou Anarumo as their new defensive coordinator, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday.
Anarumo, who was fired by the Cincinnati Bengals after the season, replaces Gus Bradley in the Colts’ defensive coordinator role.
The Colts and Bradley parted ways earlier this month after the team’s defense never ranked higher than 24th in points allowed during the 2024 regular season and regressed from 15th in yards allowed during Bradley’s first season to 29th this season (361.2).
Anarumo had been with the Bengals since head coach Zac Taylor was hired in 2019. He played an integral role in Cincinnati’s turnaround from the worst team in the AFC North to playing in the franchise’s first Super Bowl in 33 years.
Cincinnati’s defense struggled in each of the past two seasons as the Bengals missed the postseason in 2023 and 2024 after winning back-to-back division championships and making deep playoff runs. This season, Cincinnati finished 26th in points allowed per drive and was 30th in the NFL in defensive red zone efficiency, according to ESPN Research.