Nov 9, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich watches his team play against the Chicago Bears in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images Stanford hired former NFL head coach Frank Reich to be the Cardinal’s interim coach for the 2025 season Monday.
Reich replaces Troy Taylor, who was fired last week amid allegations of bullying and belittling female staff members.
Reich, 63, has never coached at the college level. The former NFL quarterback was head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2018-22, posting a 40-33-1 record with two playoff appearances. Reich took over the Carolina Panthers in 2023 but was fired after a 1-10 start.
Stanford football general manager Andrew Luck was the Colts’ starting quarterback during Reich’s first season with Indianapolis.
“I could not be more excited for our coaches, staff and players to have Frank as our head football coach for the 2025 season,” Luck said in a news release Monday. “I have experienced first-hand the incredible impact Frank has demonstrated as a leader and have full confidence he is the perfect steward for this season of Stanford Football. Frank is a teacher, a winner and a coach of the highest caliber. Frank’s values align seamlessly with our vision for this program and I firmly believe in his ability to maximize the on-field potential of our student-athletes while serving as a role model in all aspects of their personal growth.”
Reich will be introduced at a news conference on Tuesday. Stanford’s announcement specified that he will be the interim coach “for the 2025 campaign,” with the presumption that the school will continues its search for a full-time football leader.
Reich, Luck and the Colts finished 10-6 in 2018 and lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional playoffs before Luck unexpectedly retired ahead of the 2019 campaign at age 29.
“I am thrilled to be working with Andrew again to help take an important step in establishing his vision for the Stanford Football program,” Reich said. “Andrew is an elite leader and competitor, and those traits, along with his genuine passion for this university, resonated in every way and inspired me to accept this role. The unique responsibility to mentor the best student-athletes in the world, to be the absolute best in what they aspire to do, is an opportunity I will fully embrace.”
Taylor, 56, was fired last Tuesday, less than a week after an ESPN report outlined allegations by staff members.
“After continued consideration it is evident to me that our program needs a reset,” Luck said in a statement announcing Taylor’s dismissal. “In consultation with university leadership I no longer believe that Coach Taylor is the right coach to lead our football program. Coach Taylor has been informed today and the change is effective immediately.”
Per ESPN, Stanford also is promoting tight ends coach Nate Byham to offensive coordinator. He also will call the plays.
Reich previously spent time on the West Coast as quarterbacks coach (2013) and offensive coordinator (2014-15) for the then-San Diego Chargers. He was the Philadelphia Eagles’ OC from 2016-17 before being hired to lead the Colts.
Stanford has posted four straight 3-9 seasons, the last two under Taylor. The Cardinal’s last postseason appearance was the Sun Bowl in 2018.
–Field Level Media
