Indianapolis Colts History
The Indianapolis Colts are in their seventieth season, playing their home games at Lucas Oil Stadium, in Indianapolis, Indiana since 2008. The Colts are led by interim head coach Jeff Saturday since 2022.
The Colts have won five championships in their history, most recently in 2006.
Table of Contents
Franchise Award Winners
During their existence, they have had four people win Coach of the Year: Weeb Ewbank, (1958); Ted Marchibroda, (1975); Don Shula, (1964, 1967, and 1968); Bruce Arians, (2012).
During their careers, multiple players have won awards for the team: Jim Harbaugh won the Comeback Player of the Year in 1995; Bob Sanders won the AP Defensive Player of the Year in 2007; Peyton Manning won the Most Valuable Player in 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 and the AP Offensive Player of the Year in 2004; Marshall Faulk won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1994; Bert Jones won the Most Valuable Player in 1976 and the AP Offensive Player of the Year in 1976; Earl Morrall won the Most Valuable Player in 1968; Johnny Unitas won the Most Valuable Player in 1959, 1964, and 1967; Duane Bickett won the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1985; Vernon Maxwell won the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1983; Edgerrin James won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1999; Darius Leonard won the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2018; Andrew Luck won the Comeback Player of the Year in 2018.
Indianapolis Colts by the Decades
1950s
The Indianapolis Colts' inaugural season was 1953 as the Baltimore Colts. During the decade, the Colts had a record of 41-42-1 during the regular season and 2-0 in the playoffs. They played their home games at Memorial Stadium. They won zero division titles. The Colts ranked 5th in the West division with a win percentage of 49%. They won two league championships in 1958 and 1959.
1960s
During the decade, the Colts had a record of 92-42-4 during the regular season and 2-3 in the playoffs. They played their home games at Memorial Stadium. They won one division title. The Colts ranked 2nd in the West division with a win percentage of 63% and ranked 1st in the Coastal division with a win percentage of 80%. They won one league championship in 1968.
1970s
During the decade, the Colts had a record of 73-70-1 during the regular season and 4-4 in the playoffs. They played their home games at Memorial Stadium. They won four division titles. The Colts ranked 2nd in the AFC East division with a win percentage of 51%. They won one Super Bowl in 1970.
1980s
During the decade, the Colts had a record of 54-97-1 during the regular season and 0-1 in the playoffs. They played their home games at Memorial Stadium (1980-1983) and Hoosier Dome (1984-1989). They won one division title. The Colts ranked 5th in the AFC East division with a win percentage of 36%. In 1984, the Colts moved from Baltimore, Maryland to Indianapolis, Indiana and changed their name from the Baltimore Colts to Indianapolis Colts.
1990s
During the decade, the Colts had a record of 66-94-0 during the regular season and 2-3 in the playoffs. They played their home games at RCA Dome. They won one division title. The Colts ranked 4th in the AFC East division with a win percentage of 41%.
2000s
During the decade, the Colts had a record of 115-45-0 during the regular season and 9-8 in the playoffs. In fact, the one hundred and fifteen wins represents the most wins in a decade for the Colts. They played their home games at RCA Dome (2000-2007) and Lucas Oil Stadium (2008-2009). They won six division titles. The Colts ranked 2nd in the AFC East division with a win percentage of 50% and ranked 1st in the AFC South division with a win percentage of 77%. Throughout the 2000s, they led the entire league in wins. They won one Super Bowl in 2006.
2010s
During the decade, the Colts had a record of 82-78-0 during the regular season and 4-5 in the playoffs. They played their home games at Lucas Oil Stadium. They won three division titles. The Colts ranked 1st in the AFC South division with a win percentage of 51%.
2020s
During the decade, the Colts had a record of 24-25-1 during the regular season and 0-1 in the playoffs. They played their home games at Lucas Oil Stadium. They won zero division titles. The Colts ranked 2nd in the AFC South division with a win percentage of 49%.
Indianapolis Colts Head Coaching History
| Head Coach | Years | Record | Win percentage | Playoff record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Reich | 2018-2022 | 40-33-1 | 54.7% | 1-2 |
| Jeff Saturday | 2022 | 1-7-0 | 12.5% | 0-0 |
| Chuck Pagano | 2012-2017 | 44-40-0 | 52.4% | 3-3 |
| Bruce Arians | 2012 | 9-3-0 | 75.0% | 0-0 |
| Jim Caldwell | 2009-2011 | 26-22-0 | 54.2% | 2-2 |
| Tony Dungy | 2002-2008 | 85-27-0 | 75.9% | 7-6 |
| Jim E. Mora (Sr.) | 1998-2001 | 32-32-0 | 50.0% | 0-2 |
| Lindy Infante | 1996-1997 | 12-20-0 | 37.5% | 0-1 |
| Ted Marchibroda | 1975-1979, 1992-1995 | 71-67-0 | 51.4% | 2-4 |
| Ron Meyer | 1987-1991 | 33-35-0 | 48.5% | 0-1 |
| Rick Venturi | 1991 | 1-15-0 | 6.3% | 0-0 |
| Rod Dowhower | 1985-1986 | 8-24-0 | 25.0% | 0-0 |
| Frank Kush | 1982-1984 | 11-29-1 | 28.0% | 0-0 |
| Mike McCormack | 1980-1981 | 9-23-0 | 28.1% | 0-0 |
| Howard Schnellenberger | 1973-1974 | 6-22-0 | 21.4% | 0-0 |
| Joe Thomas | 1974 | 2-12-0 | 14.3% | 0-0 |
| Don McCafferty | 1970-1972 | 26-15-1 | 63.1% | 4-1 |
| John Sandusky | 1972 | 5-9-0 | 35.7% | 0-0 |
| Don Shula | 1963-1969 | 71-23-4 | 74.5% | 2-3 |
| Weeb Ewbank | 1954-1962 | 59-52-1 | 53.1% | 2-0 |
| Keith Molesworth | 1953 | 3-9-0 | 25.0% | 0-0 |
Franchise history
Franchise history guide
| Seasons with a championship win | Seasons with a conference championship |
Franchise facts
- Year Founded: 1953
- Championships won: 1958, 1959, 1968, 1970, and 2006
- Stadium History: Memorial Stadium (1953-1983), Hoosier Dome (1984-1994), RCA Dome (1995-2007), Lucas Oil Stadium (2008-Present)
- Most Valuable Player: Johnny Unitas: 1959, 1964, 1967; Earl Morrall: 1968; Bert Jones: 1976; Peyton Manning: 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009
- Coach of the Year: Weeb Ewbank: 1958; Don Shula: 1964, 1967, 1968; Ted Marchibroda: 1975; Bruce Arians: 2012
- Other Names: Baltimore Colts, 1953-1983; Indianapolis Colts, 1984-2022
- 2nd-most wins in the NFL from 1960-1969 (92).
- Most wins in the NFL from 2000-2009 (115).
- Tony Dungy: Highest Win % in franchise history (75.9%)
- Tony Dungy: Most playoff wins in franchise history (7)