Colts Make Staff Changes

INDIANAPOLIS – Jim Hostler has joined the Colts coaching staff and will serve as the team's wide receivers coach for the 2015 campaign.

Hostler comes to Indy with 15 years of NFL coaching experience, most recently as an offensive assistant with the Buffalo Bills (2014).

Chuck Pagano's connection with Hostler extends back to Baltimore where the two were on the same staff from 2008-2011 (Hostler was the Ravens' wide receivers coach from 2008-2013).

With Hostler coaching the Colts receivers next season, former receivers coach Charlie Williams moves over to the running backs.

Williams replaces David Walker, the lone assistant not returning from last season.

For the last three seasons, Williams has coached the Colts wide receivers. The last time he coached the running back position came at Texas Christian University (1988-1991).

Along with those moves, the Colts named Tim Berbenich defensive assistant (had been offensive assistant), Hal Hunter to co-offensive line coach (had been assistant offensive line coach) and Brad White as outside linebackers coach (had been a quality control coach for the defense).

Here is more on Hostler from the team's release:

Hostler holds 25 years of coaching experience, including 15 seasons in the NFL. In 2014, he served as the senior offensive assistant for the Buffalo Bills. During that season, wide receiver Sammy Watkins set Bills single-season rookie records for receptions (65) and receiving yards (982), while receiver Robert Woods set career highs with 65 receptions for 699 yards and five touchdowns. The team also had three different players with at least 50 catches for the first time in franchise history.

Prior to joining the Bills, Hostler spent six seasons (2008-2013) as the Baltimore Ravens' wide receivers coach, where he oversaw a receiving corps that played an integral role in the team's 2012 Super Bowl championship. During the 2012 campaign, the Ravens' wide outs finished second in franchise history for the most receiving yards for a single season with 3,996. From 2011-13, Torrey Smith ranked among the top 10 AFC receivers in yards per catch (fourth-17.2), touchdown receptions (seventh-19) and receiving yards (eighth-2,824).

In addition to Smith, Hostler helped wide receiver Anquan Boldin make an immediate impact on the Ravens' offense upon his arrival following a trade from Arizona. During his three seasons (2010-12) with Baltimore, Boldin led the team in receptions (186), receiving yards (2,645) and first down receptions (132).

Hostler joined the Ravens in 2008 after spending three seasons (2005-07) with the San Francisco 49ers, serving as quarterbacks coach from 2005-06 and offensive coordinator in his final year. During his time with the 49ers, Hostler played an important role in tutoring 2005 No. 1 overall pick quarterback Alex Smith. In 2007, he helped running back Frank Gore become the third player in 49ers history to record over 1,000 rushing yards and 400 receiving yards in back-to-back seasons.

During coaching stints with the New York Jets (2003-04) and the New Orleans Saints (2001-02), Hostler helped develop players like Santana Moss, Wayne Chrebet, Justin McCareins and Donté Stallworth. From 2003-04, Moss totaled 119 receptions for 1,943 yards and 15 touchdowns.

A native of Bethel Park, Pa., Hostler entered the NFL in 2000 with the Kansas City Chiefs as an offensive assistant/quality control coach after spending 10 years coaching collegiately at his alma mater Indiana University of Pennsylvania (1990-92, 1994-99) and Juniata College (1993).