Indianapolis — The Indianapolis Colts scheduled interviews with former Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy and New York Jets defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell, agents for the two coaches told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Joe Linta said his client, Cottrell, was expected to meet with the Colts at an undisclosed location either Wednesday night or Thursday. He was uncertain if the meeting would be in Indianapolis.
Dungy has scheduled interviews in both Indianapolis and Carolina, although his agent, Ray Anderson, would not say when either meeting would occur.
The Colts need a replacement for Jim Mora, who was fired Jan. 8 after going 32-34, including 0-2 in the playoffs, in four seasons.
"What I can confirm is that we made contact with Indianapolis and Carolina today and interviews will be forthcoming," Anderson said. "We certainly appreciate getting the chance to talk to Indianapolis and Carolina."
Dungy was fired as Tampa Bay's coach Monday night after going 54-42 and leading the Buccaneers to four playoff appearances in six years. He also guided Tampa Bay to the 1999 NFC Championship game, where the Buccaneers lost to eventual Super Bowl champion St. Louis.
Colts president Bill Polian has said he will not comment on the coaching search.
Mora was fired, primarily, because he refused to fire defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and other assistants. Fangio was hired by the Houston Texans earlier this week.
Polian said he thought Fangio's system was too complex for the Colts' young defense, and both Cottrell and Dungy have reputations for building strong defenses with young players.
Dungy served as defensive coordinator with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1984-88 and with the Minnesota Vikings from 1992-95 before taking over at Tampa Bay.
Under Dungy, the Buccaneers produced the NFC's best defense in 1998 and 2000.
Dungy also has ties to Colts offensive coordinator Tom Moore. Both of them were on the Minnesota Vikings staff in 1992-93, and Moore was offensive coordinator at the University of Minnesota when Dungy was the Gophers' quarterback in the mid-1970s.
Polian has said the possible retention of some or all the offensive assistants would be among the discussion that takes place during the interview process.
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