After weeks of speculation, the Colts announced that former Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Larry Coyer would take over in that role while longtime college assistant Ray Rychleski would be the new special teams coordinator.

Coyer and Rychleski both have long backgrounds with Caldwell on the collegiate level, working with him at Iowa (Coyer) and Wake Forest (Rychleski). Prior to coming to Indianapolis, Coyer was an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the past two seasons and has worked as an assistant with the Broncos and the New York Jets. He also has extensive college coaching experience at the University of Pittsburgh, Iowa State, Ohio State, East Carolina, Oklahoma State, and Bowling Green.

Ex-Indianapolis assistant coach Ron Meeks, who had served as the Colts' defensive coordinator, recently resigned and has since been hired as the new defensive coordinator with the Carolina Panthers.

Rychleski, meanwhile, has 29 years of overall coaching experience, 27 on the collegiate level at South Carolina, Maryland and Temple. In his only season on Steve Spurrier's staff last year, the Gamecocks ranked second in the Southeastern Conference in kickoff coverage. Rychleski replaces Russ Purnell on Caldwell's coaching staff. Purnell was recently named as the new special teams coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In another coaching staff move, longtime receivers coach Clyde Christensen -- who had interviewed to be the offensive coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers -- has been given the additional duties of assistant head coach with the Colts.

"I am pleased to announce the promotion of Clyde Christensen to assistant head coach, in addition to his role of working with the wide receivers, and I am pleased as well to add Larry Coyer as defensive

coordinator and Ray Rychleski as special teams coordinator," Caldwell said in a team press release.

"Many people know the contributions Clyde has made to the organization during the past seven years. He has helped the Colts function as one of the NFL's top offenses. His coaching manner and personal style exemplify the attention to detail and demand for performance we require at all times. I welcome his expanded role with our staff."

"Larry and Ray will be valuable additions in key areas for the club. Both have a wealth and wide range of experience that will benefit our players," he continued. "Larry and Ray have been successful in every stage of their careers, and their talents and input will show in our on-field performance."