Reggie Wayne loves everything about living in South Florida. He loves cigars by the pool, the sun all year, and long, lazy days on the beach.
All of that makes sense as to why the former All-Pro receiver for the Indianapolis Colts resisted the urge to become a teacher for so long after he retired at the end of the 2015 season. It’s also strange that he turned down a chance to go back to that sun-kissed life, even after a rough first season coaching the wide receivers for the Indianapolis Colts in 2022, when they only won four games and Frank Reich, the coach who hired him, was fired.
Still, Wayne really wanted another chance.
Wayne said, “I had some unfinished business.” “I really felt like I underachieved as a coach and just felt like I could do better.”
That’s why, when Shane Steichen was hired as the Colts’ new head coach in February, Wayne jumped at the chance to tell Steichen how he thought he could help, as long as the new coach would let him.
Steichen called Wayne in for a chat one day while he was putting together his new staff.
“He said, ‘Hey, let me talk to you,'” Wayne thought back. “After two hours, I asked myself, ‘Was that an interview?'” At the time, I really didn’t know. “I hope I did great on this,” I said.
It turns out that it was an interview after all. Steichen heard just what he needed to hear. Two of the eight offensive coaches working for Steichen are still with the team from Reich’s time in charge. Wayne is one of them. Brian Bratton, who is the quality control coach, is the other holdover. He is basically Wayne’s junior receivers coach.
People say that the new coaching team helped the Colts (7-5) get back into the running for the playoffs. The Tennessee Titans lost 31–28 to the Colts on Sunday, giving them their fourth straight win. ESPN Stats & Information says that Michael Pittman Jr. (105 receiving yards) and Alec Pierce (100 receiving yards) were the first two Colts pass targets to play in the same game and have over 100 receiving yards. In November 2014, Donte Moncrief (134 yards) and Coby Fleener (127) were the last two Colts pass targets to do that.
Pittman is the third player in the team’s history to have at least 10 catches and 100 receiving yards in back-to-back games. Along with Marvin Harrison (two straight in 2002) and Raymond Berry (two straight in 1959), he is a member of the Hall of Fame.
“It’s a whole different transition from being a player to a coach,” said Steichen. “Just the tasks that need to be done every day.” Reggie has grown; you can see it.
Wayne is well-known as a player. He has been a finalist four times for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is now in the semifinals. Only 14,345 yards are more in his career than Harrison’s 14,580. Wayne is one of the best playoff players of all time because of how well he played in the playoffs. He is in the top 10 in postseason grabs, receiving yards, and touchdown catches.
“When a guy has had that much success in this organization as a player, that carries a lot of weight,” says Steichen.
But none of it ensures coaching success. Wayne didn’t know what he didn’t know until he plunged.
“I was hired a week after the combine in March 2022,” revealed 45-year-old Wayne. Nobody gave me a template. Nobody gave me anything. They said, “Here go.” This is a film. We’ll discuss these prospects after you examine them. ‘Um, all is okay.'”
A turbulent season followed that abrupt plunge. Reich was sacked after the Colts went 4-12-1, and former center Jeff Saturday, a former ESPN analyst, was shockingly named interim head coach. Wayne’s mind spun.
Post-season, he contemplated his future. The 2001 Colts first-round pick played college ball in Miami and lives in South Florida forever. Wayne relaxed in the sun and added to his classic-car collection after the NFL. It wouldn’t have been bad to start over.
Despite everything, he saw his impact. Despite three starting quarterbacks, he helped Pittman catch 99 times last season, a career high. Wayne was reminded why he wanted the position by mentoring rookies like Pierce last season.
The game-winning touchdown came on Sunday after Pierce caught three receptions for 100 yards, including a 55-yard reception. It was fitting after months of Wayne urging Pierce to stay patient despite his poor professional start. Wayne told Pierce about Harrison being targeted 205 times in 2002, leaving him few possibilities.
Pierce stated Wayne claimed Harrison will get 15 targets a game, and I might get three or four. He gets it, and it’s been fantastic having him in my corner to speak things through.
Former Colts linebacker Cato June, now the team’s assistant linebackers coach, saw Wayne’s situation differently. After retiring, June began coaching in high school, college, and the NFL. Wayne’s longtime pal was a sounding board when he considered coaching.
June stated that playing at a high level makes football part of your identity. For those who are built for it, coaching keeps you engaged in the game like few other positions.
June stated that football is integral to your being. The adjustment comes while you’re out. Getting back into it is easy. You can now influence the game differently.
Wayne has a wider chance this year. Steichen promised Wayne a louder voice, which appealed. Wayne is enthusiastically leaning in. In particular, he strongly recommended the Colts choose receiver Josh Downs. Downs, drafted in the third round, is a top rookie wideout this season.
Wayne had a backup plan if he and Steichen didn’t work out. Plan A worked, so he’s not disappointed.
I wanted Steichen to boost my value, Wayne added. If it wasn’t his plan, I’d get on my boat. I just wanted him to help me improve as a teacher.
I coach better overall.
