The Indianapolis Colts have promoted one coach and added two new coaches as the club moves toward the 2009 season. Wide receivers coach Clyde Christensen has been given the additional title of assistant head coach, while the Colts have added Larry Coyer as defensive coordinator and Ray Rychleski (rich-LESS-kee) as special teams coordinator.
Christensen is entering his eighth season with the Colts, his 14th in the NFL. He will continue to work with a receiving corps that has allowed the club to sport one of the NFL's most prolific attacks. Coyer joins the Colts after serving the past two seasons at Tampa Bay as assistant head coach. He also tutored the defensive line in 2007. Prior to his stint with the Buccaneers, Coyer served seven years at Denver, the final four as defensive coordinator. Rychleski brings nearly three decades of collegiate experience to Indianapolis. His last three posts include 1993-2000 at Wake Forest, 2001-07 at Maryland and 2008 at South Carolina.
"I am pleased to announce the promotion of Clyde Christensen to assistant head coach, in addition to his role of working with the wide receivers, and I am pleased as well to add Larry Coyer as defensive coordinator and Ray Rychleski as special teams coordinator," said Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell. "Many people know the contributions Clyde has made to the organization during the past seven years. He has helped the Colts function as one of the NFL's top offenses. His coaching manner and personal style exemplify the attention to detail and demand for performance we require at all times. I welcome his expanded role with our staff.
"Larry and Ray will be valuable additions in key areas for the club. Both have a wealth and wide range of experience that will benefit our players. Larry and Ray have been successful in every stage of their careers, and their talents and input will show in our on-field performance."
Coyer and Rychleski each have previous ties to Caldwell. Coyer was the defensive coordinator at Iowa from 1974-77. Caldwell played for the Hawkeyes from 1973-76 and worked there as a graduate assistant in 1977. Rychleski worked with Caldwell on the Penn State staff in 1991, and worked for Caldwell at Wake Forest when the latter was the head coach there from 1993-2000. Rychleski coached defensive line for the Demon Deacons from 1993-95, and also coached linebackers (1996-98) and special teams/tight ends (1999-2000).
