What Happened to Frank Michael Reich?
Frank Reich is an American professional football coach and former NFL quarterback. After a notable playing career, he transitioned to coaching, achieving a Super Bowl title as the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. He later served as head coach for the Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers, and following a stint as interim head coach at Stanford, he is currently the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets as of August 2026.
Quick Answer
Frank Reich is currently the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets, a position he assumed in February 2026. Prior to this, he served as the head coach for the Indianapolis Colts from 2018 to 2022 and the Carolina Panthers in 2023, where he was fired mid-season after a 1-10 start. In 2025, Reich had a brief tenure as the interim head coach at Stanford University before returning to the NFL with the Jets.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline16 events
Born in Freeport, New York
Frank Michael Reich was born in Freeport, New York.
Led Maryland's historic comeback against Miami
As quarterback for the University of Maryland, Reich led the Terrapins to erase a 31-0 halftime deficit against Miami, winning 42-40 in what was then the biggest comeback in NCAA history.
Drafted by the Buffalo Bills
Reich was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the third round (57th overall pick) of the NFL Draft, beginning his 14-season playing career.
Orchestrated 'The Comeback' against the Houston Oilers
Filling in for an injured Jim Kelly, Reich led the Buffalo Bills to overcome a 32-point deficit against the Houston Oilers, winning 41-38 in overtime in the largest postseason comeback in NFL history.
Signed with the Carolina Panthers as a player
Reich became one of the original quarterbacks for the expansion Carolina Panthers, starting the first three games in franchise history.
Retired from playing professional football
After playing for the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, New York Jets, and Detroit Lions, Reich retired from the NFL as a player.
Began coaching career as Colts intern
Reich started his coaching journey as a coaching intern for the Indianapolis Colts, the team he would later lead as head coach.
Hired as Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Coordinator
Reich joined the Philadelphia Eagles as their offensive coordinator, a role in which he would achieve significant success.
Won Super Bowl LII with the Philadelphia Eagles
As the offensive coordinator, Reich helped lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl LII victory over the New England Patriots, marking the franchise's first Super Bowl title.
Hired as Indianapolis Colts Head Coach
Following his Super Bowl success, Reich was named the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, his first head coaching position in the NFL.
Fired by the Indianapolis Colts
After a 3-5-1 start to his fifth season, Reich was dismissed as the Colts' head coach, concluding his tenure with a 40-33-1 record.
Hired as Carolina Panthers Head Coach
Reich returned to the Carolina Panthers, this time as their head coach, marking his second NFL head coaching role.
Fired by the Carolina Panthers
After a disappointing 1-10 start to the season, Reich was fired by the Panthers, making him the first coach in NFL history to be fired mid-season in back-to-back years.
Served as Interim Head Coach at Stanford University
Reich took on an interim head coaching role at Stanford, a period he later credited with re-energizing his passion for coaching.
Hired as New York Jets Offensive Coordinator
Reich returned to the NFL, accepting the offensive coordinator position with the New York Jets, reuniting with the franchise he played for in 1996.
Discussed Jets' offense and Geno Smith in training camp
During Jets training camp, Reich spoke about his offensive philosophy, emphasizing trust in players, and praised quarterback Geno Smith, stating he feels 'like he's 28' despite being 35.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Frank Reich's journey in professional football spans over three decades, first as a quarterback and then as a coach. His playing career, primarily with the Buffalo Bills, is highlighted by his role in "The Comeback," the largest postseason comeback in NFL history in 1993. After retiring as a player in 1998, Reich began his coaching career in 2006 as an intern with the Indianapolis Colts.
Reich steadily climbed the coaching ranks, holding various assistant positions with the Colts, Arizona Cardinals, and San Diego Chargers. His breakthrough came as the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2016 to 2017, where he was instrumental in crafting the offense that led the Eagles to their first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl LII in 2018. This success propelled him to his first head coaching opportunity with the Indianapolis Colts in 2018.
As the Colts' head coach, Reich compiled a 40-33-1 record over five seasons, leading the team to two playoff appearances. His tenure was marked by a revolving door of quarterbacks following Andrew Luck's unexpected retirement in 2019, which presented significant challenges. Despite these hurdles, Reich was praised for his leadership and ability to keep the team competitive. However, after a 3-5-1 start to the 2022 season, he was fired on November 7, 2022.
In 2023, Reich was hired as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, a team he had played for in their inaugural season. His return to Carolina was short-lived, as the Panthers struggled to a 1-10 record with rookie quarterback Bryce Young, leading to his dismissal on November 27, 2023. This made him the first head coach to be fired mid-season in back-to-back years.
Following his departure from the Panthers, Reich took an interim head coaching role at Stanford University in 2025, a move that he later described as re-energizing his love for coaching. This brief college stint paved the way for his return to the NFL. In February 2026, Frank Reich was hired as the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets, reuniting with the franchise he played for in 1996. As of August 2026, Reich is actively involved in the Jets' training camp, expressing confidence in quarterback Geno Smith and the team's offensive talent.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Frank Michael Reich made different choices?