IndyStar's Stephen Holder discusses how the Indianapolis Colts are approaching their coaching search, and the likely hiring of New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Stephen Holder/IndyStar
Jake Peetz, quarterbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders, has been mentioned as the likely Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator. (That is, of course, based on the likelihood they hire New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as coach.) Here are three things to know about the 34-year-old who has been with the Raiders for three years, one as QB coach.
How coaching became an option
Former Nebraska coach Bill Callahan noticed something in Peetz, who had been considering law school. Callahan "thought I was analytical about the game," Peetz said.
That set him on a path that started at Santa Barbara City College in 2006.
Former UCLA coach Norm Chow, a legendary offensive strategist, took Peetz under his wing in 2007.
"I saw his passion. I saw energy. I saw a realness," Chow said. "The whole key to being an intern -- and I told Jake this -- is to work hard and be quiet. Speak when spoken to. So many guys come in and think they have all the answers, and they really don't."
He never saw the field in college
Peetz, a multisport star in high school, walked on to the Nebraska football team but never played. He was on track to get some time at long snapper as a senior in 2005, but one week before the season, he redirected much of his energy to help take care of his ailing brother (who died in 2014).
Though he didn't see game action, Peetz was plenty active as part of football program's citizenship team, student-athlete advisory committee and a volunteer with many Lincoln charitable groups.
He knows the secret to a great football program
OK, it's not that big of a secret, but here's what he learned in his one season (2013) as an assistant at Alabama under Nick Saban:
"People ask me the secret to coach (Nick) Saban. I tell them it's so simple that you're not even going to write it down, and you're going to think I'm hiding something from you.
"It's this: Everybody has a defined role and expectation, and you're held accountable to that. That's what it is to the nth degree. Your role is defined. You're going to have a very high expectation, and you will be held accountable, and you're going to be given every opportunity to succeed.
"I think I'll look back at that experience, working for coach Saban, as the defining moment in my learning and my understanding -- and being pushed to the limit."
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