After spending a season in the college ranks, Frank Reich is heading back to the NFL.
The New York Jets are hiring Reich as their new offensive coordinator, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero reported on Wednesday. The team later announced the news.
"Frank has a rare combination of experience, creativity, and calm under pressure," Jets coach Aaron Glenn said in a statement. "He's lived this game from every angle -- as a quarterback in this league and as a coach who's led offenses at the highest level. He is unique in his ability to see the game for what it is right now and adapt when appropriate. Frank understands offense and how to utilize the strengths of players. I am looking forward to how he will help this team have success."
Somewhat stunningly, the Jets parted ways with offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand in late January. The timing was surprising, but New York has moved swiftly in bringing in Reich, who carries a wealth of NFL coaching -- and playing -- experience. Reich was among a pool of familiar names whom the Jets interviewed for the position, including Greg Roman and Darrell Bevell, who also got second interviews.
Reich, 64, played 13 seasons in the NFL, mostly as a backup quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, but spent the 1996 campaign with the Jets, starting seven games, and was, consequently, a teammate of Glenn, who was a defensive back.
Serving as the senior adviser for Stanford football ahead of his Jets hiring, Reich was the Cardinal's interim head coach in 2025.
It marked his return to coaching after an ill-fated stint as the Carolina Panthers head coach in 2023.
Across five years as the Indianapolis Colts head coach (2018-2022) and less than a season with the Panthers, Reich holds a 41-43-1 career record. His most success was realized as an offensive coordinator. He held the role first with the San Diego Chargers from 2014-15 and then the Philadelphia Eagles from 2016-17.
Reich played a vital role in Philly's run to winning Super Bowl LII over the New England Patriots.
The upcoming season will now mark Reich's first as an offensive coordinator since winning the Super Bowl with the Eagles.
He has a daunting task in front of him, aiming to improve a Jets offense that was 29th in the league in points and yards. The Jets got starts at quarterback from Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylorand Brady Cook, with success hard to come by and a future at the position never glimpsed.
What comes next for the Jets is the bigger quandary of who will be the team's starting QB in 2026. For now, though, Glenn has found his new OC not long after parting ways with his first.
