INDIANAPOLIS — A fresh environment may bring renewed energy to Lou Anarumo’s career, and the Indianapolis Colts are counting on it.

Following Anarumo’s hiring three days earlier, the Colts’ new defensive coordinator shared his vision for utilizing a flexible scheme along with high standards to spark a turnaround, aiming to end the team’s playoff drought.

“Sometimes, a new beginning with a coach proves beneficial for players,” Anarumo noted at his introductory press conference. “As coaches, we’ll have a consistent approach, and we’ll demand the same level of consistency from the players. They should expect that from us as well. My approach is to be candid; I’ll tell them if they’re doing things correctly or if they need improvement.”

Anarumo is recognized for his aggressive style and diverse defensive setups.

This marks a significant shift from the strategies employed by Gus Bradley, the former defensive coordinator who was not retained after his contract lapsed. Bradley’s approach was less frequent in blitzing and leaned more on a stable foundation with familiar alignments.

During his six seasons leading the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense, Anarumo achieved notable success, including four winning seasons, back-to-back appearances in the AFC Championship Games, and a trip to the franchise’s third Super Bowl following the 2021 season.

His accomplishments during 2021 and 2022 elevated his status as a sought-after head coaching candidate. However, the Bengals faced setbacks last season due to Joe Burrow’s injury, leading to a decline in performance after the loss of several key free agents.

Despite a late-season turnaround that brought Cincinnati close to playoff qualification, Anarumo was dismissed the day after the Bengals were eliminated during the final week of the regular season.

The Colts, however, are ready to give him another opportunity, while coach Shane Steichen and General Manager Chris Ballard find themselves in a critical season where both may need to prove their worth to keep their jobs.

“Lou is a proven leader who will expect nothing but the best from our players,” Steichen said in a statement upon the announcement of the hire. “His strategic thinking and distinctive scheme will be crucial in developing a swift and disciplined defensive unit.”

Anarumo inherits some noteworthy talent on the Colts roster.

Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, a three-time Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro in 2020, headlines the unit, alongside linebacker Zaire Franklin, who topped the NFL with 173 tackles last season, earning his first Pro Bowl nomination and second-team All-Pro recognition. Anarumo envisions cornerback Kenny Moore II, a Pro Bowler in 2021, taking on responsibilities akin to those of Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton.

Nevertheless, there remains significant work ahead.

Both starting linebacker E.J. Speed and safety Julian Blackman, along with three pivotal backups, are set to enter free agency in March, and the Colts’ young secondary has faced ongoing challenges with injuries and inconsistent performances over the last two campaigns.

Issues off the field have also escalated the challenges.

“There are moments when ego interferes,” Buckner remarked on January 6. “As a team, everyone needs to set their ego aside when they walk through the door. We all possess egos, but the top teams manage to sacrifice those egos for the greater good.”

Anarumo is optimistic about addressing this issue as well.

“Talented players, especially exceptional ones, are eager to be guided; they crave honest feedback,” Anarumo explained. “If they’re not, there might be a deeper problem, but the best individuals I’ve known consistently ask for feedback, pushing for rigorous coaching and clear direction.”