Reports: Stanford hiring Frank Reich as interim coach

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Stanford is hiring former NFL head coach Frank Reich to be the Cardinal’s interim coach for the 2025 season, multiple outlets reported Monday.

Both sides have agreed that it will be a one-year deal as Stanford conducts a national search to replace Troy Taylor, who was fired last week after allegations of bullying and belittling female athletic staff members.

Reich, 63, has never coached at the college level. The former NFL quarterback was the 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.

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.

Per ESPN, Stanford also is promoting tight ends coach Nate Byham to offensive coordinator. He also will call the plays.

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,” Stanford general manager Andrew 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.”

Reich’s first season as head coach of the Colts in 2018 was also Luck’s final season as the Indianapolis quarterback. The Colts finished 10-6 and lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional playoffs before Luck unexpectedly retired ahead of the 2019 campaign at age 29.

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