Is Jim Bob Cooter his real name? What you should know about the Colts offensive coordinator

Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen is putting together his offensive coaching staff, and one of the most important pieces will reportedly be offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter.

Cooter, 38, has been on NFL coaching staffs since 2009, starting with the Colts. He was the offensive coordinator for Detroit Lions for three-plus seasons from 2015-18.

From 2016-18, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford passed for 12,550 yards, 74 touchdowns and 31 interceptions. He was also sacked 124 times. The Lions had a 24-24 record over that period.

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Is Jim Bob Cooter his real name?

He was born James Robert Cooter, but that's kind of stuffy, right? He has always gone by Jim Bob.

"I mean, that's just – I didn't make a conscious decision," Cooter said in 2015 when asked about the origins of his name. "I think maybe my parents were really into marketing, so we were trying to sell some T-shirts from an early age."

He's a Tennessee native, but he has never seen a need to adjust it, at least professionally, no matter where he coaches.

"It seemed to be OK. But as I move around, I've been in a couple different cities at this point, it certainly – the farther north or west you get, away from the Southeast, it tends to get a little extra scare," he said. "So maybe I give a different name when I'm waiting on my sandwich or whatever that whole thing is, just to save that one."

Jim Bob Cooter has coached for the Colts

His first NFL experience was as an offensive assistant from 2009-11, under coach Jim Caldwell. That period included a Super Bowl trip, which the Colts lost to the New Orleans Saints.

Jim Bob Cooter's NFL coaching experience

After three years with the Colts, he has been on the staffs of the Chiefs (2012, offensive quality control); Broncos ('13, offensive assistant); Lions ('14-18, quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator); Jets ('19-20, running backs); Eagles ('21, consultant), and Jaguars ('22, passing game coordinator).

He has worked with these quarterbacks: Peyton Manning, Stafford, Jalen Hurts and Trevor Lawrence.

Jim Bob Cooter playing experience

Cooter played at Lincoln County High School in Fayetteville, Tenn., and he was a backup at the University of Tennessee. He was also a graduate assistant coach for the Volunteers in 2007-08.

Jim Bob Cooter's role under Colts coach Shane Steichen

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts coaching news: Jim Bob Cooter to be offensive coordinator