Stable welcome: McDaniels confirmed as Colts head coach

Five weeks after his first interview with the franchise, Josh McDaniels will be introduced as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday.

The Colts announced a deal had been finalized with McDaniels on Tuesday via Twitter in a virtual high five with the former New England Patriots' offensive coordinator.

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McDaniels is a head coach for the second time, departing New England previously for the top job with the Denver Broncos. He was 11-17 with the franchise before being fired midway through the 2010 season.

McDaniels, 41, inherits a Colts team that went 4-12 and finished last in the AFC South in 2017 under Chuck Pagano, who was fired after six seasons on Dec. 31.

Colts owner Jim Irsay participated in the second interview with McDaniels along with general manager Chris Ballard, who hosted McDaniels in a one-on-one session at the end of the regular season.

Part of the optimism around the Colts centers on the anticipated return of franchise quarterback Andrew Luck. He missed the entire 2017 season recovering from shoulder surgery and is expected to benefit from the mentoring of McDaniels, who is renowned for his work with Tom Brady in New England.

Luck, 28, has missed 26 regular-season games the past three seasons.

The Colts have the third pick in the upcoming 2018 NFL Draft.

McDaniels has been with the Patriots for all but three seasons since 2001. He has been the team's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach since 2012, the same positions he held in New England from 2006-08.

--Field Level Media