Bettcher spent one season with the Colts and followed Bruce Arians when the latter was hired as the head coach for the Arizona Cardinals in 2013. Bettcher was the outside linebackers coach for two seasons (2013-2014) and then was promoted to defensive coordinator for three seasons (2015-2017) until Arians retired.

The Indianapolis Colts made their first big offseason hire, hiring former Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo as their new defensive coordinator.  And now, they've begun filling Anarumo's defensive staff with a coach from his and the Colts' past.

New Indianapolis Colts’ defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has begun filling out his defensive staff, reportedly hiring a familiar face in James Bettcher to be the team’s linebackers coach, according to Tom Pelissero.