For the man that’s been second in command for much of his football career, today starts a new chapter.
Former Maryland quarterback Frank Reich, coming off his first Super Bowl as offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, has reportedly been hired as the next head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.
The Colts had to reopen their search this past week after Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels opted to stay in New England despite originally agreeing to fill the position.
After that blunder, Reich’s name regularly came up in the Colts’ head coach talks. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Sunday afternoon that Reich agreed to a five year deal to join Indianapolis.
Frank Reich will be the Colts’ new coach. Five-year deal with the team has been agreed to and about to be finalized, source says. @espn reported earlier he was the fave.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 11, 2018
Reich played quarterback at Maryland in the Bobby Ross era, spending most of his career as a Terp in a backup role behind Boomer Esiason. In 1984, Reich led a 31-point comeback against Miami as a senior in what was then the largest comeback in NCAA history.
He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 1985 NFL Draft. While he spent most of his time as Jim Kelly’s backup, he saw time in a few seasons when Kelly was injured.
Reich even led another famous comeback filling in for Kelly in 1993, coming back from a 35-3 deficit to beat the Houston Oilers in the Wild Card Game. After nine seasons in Buffalo, Reich moved around to the Carolina Panthers, New York Jets, and Detroit Lions before retiring in 1998. Now, ten years into his coaching career, Reich ends up where he had his first job as a coach.
Reich became an offensive assistant for the Colts under Tony Dungy in 2008, before moving up to quarterbacks coach and later wide receivers coach. He then went on to coach for the Arizona Cardinals and San Diego Chargers before joining Doug Pederson in Philadelphia last season.
Reich is the second coach under Pederson to leave the Eagles this offseason. The Minnesota Vikings hired quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo as their new offensive coordinator Friday.
So the Eagles now could wind up losing OC Frank Reich to go along with QB John DeFilippo, leaving holes in offensive coaching staff. The Super Bowl brain drain.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 11, 2018
He had proven success with Peyton Manning in Indianapolis, and now continues to groom quarterbacks with Carson Wentz and even Nick Foles in Philadelphia. Andrew Luck’s future may still be in jeopardy with his nagging shoulder issues, but Reich’s hire will be great for whoever starts the 2018 season under center for Indianapolis.
