After spending a season at the college level, Frank Reich is returning to the NFL.
The New York Jets have hired Reich as their new offensive coordinator, NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo, and Tom Pelissero reported Wednesday. The team later confirmed the move.
“Frank brings a rare mix of experience, creativity, and composure under pressure,” Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said in a statement. “He’s seen this game from every angle — as an NFL quarterback and as a coach who has led offenses at the highest level. He understands today’s game and knows how to adapt. Frank knows how to maximize players’ strengths, and I’m excited about what he’ll bring to this team.”
The hire comes shortly after a surprising decision by the Jets to part ways with offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand in late January. Despite the unexpected timing, New York moved quickly to land Reich, who brings extensive NFL coaching and playing experience.
Reich was among several well-known candidates interviewed for the role, including Greg Roman and Darrell Bevell, both of whom received second interviews.
Now 64, Reich played 13 seasons in the NFL, primarily as a backup quarterback with the Buffalo Bills. He also spent the 1996 season with the Jets, starting seven games. During that time, he was teammates with Glenn, who played defensive back.
Before joining the Jets, Reich served as a senior adviser for Stanford football and was the Cardinal’s interim head coach in 2025. The role marked his return to coaching after a difficult stint as head coach of the Carolina Panthers in 2023.
Across five seasons as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts (2018–2022) and a partial season with the Panthers, Reich compiled a 41-43-1 record. His greatest success, however, has come as an offensive coordinator. He previously held that role with the San Diego Chargers from 2014–15 and the Philadelphia Eagles from 2016–17.
Reich was instrumental in the Eagles’ run to a Super Bowl LII victory over the New England Patriots.
The upcoming season will be Reich’s first time serving as an offensive coordinator since that championship run in Philadelphia.
He faces a significant challenge in New York, taking over a Jets offense that ranked 29th in the NFL in both points and total yards last season. The team rotated quarterbacks Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, and Brady Cook, but consistent success was hard to find, and long-term answers at the position never emerged.
The biggest question moving forward remains who will start at quarterback for the Jets in 2026. For now, Glenn has secured his new offensive coordinator shortly after moving on from his first hire.