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 dismissed last week among allegations of bullying and diminishing female employees.
Reich, 63, has never trained at university level. The former NFL quarter hill was head coach for Indianapolis Colts from 2018-22 and published a 40-33-1 record with two playoffs. Reich took over Carolina Panthers in 2023 but was fired after a 1-10 start.
Stanford Football General Manager Andrew Luck was Colt’s start -quarterback during Reich’s first season with Indianapolis.
“I couldn’t be more excited for our coaches, staff and players to have Frank as our main football coach for the 2025 season,” Luck said in a news message 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 highstigs for the wides. Believe in His Ability to Maximize the On-Field Potential of Our Student-Athletes While Serving as a Role Model in All Aspects of the 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”, assuming that the school will continue its search for a full-time football leader.
Reich, Luck and Colts finished 10-6 2018 and lost to Kansas City Chiefs in the division’s playoffs before Luck unexpectedly retired before the 2019 campaign at the age of 29.
“I am proud to work with Andrew again to help take an important step to establish his vision for the Stanford football program,” Reich said. “Andrew is an elite leader and competitor, and these traits, along with his genuine passion for this university, reasoned in every way and inspired me to accept this role. The unique responsibility for mentoring the best student athletes in the world, to be the absolute best in what they strive to make an opportunity I will completely embrace.”
Taylor, 56, was dismissed last Tuesday, less than a week after an ESPN report described allegations from staff.
“After continuing consideration, it is obvious to me that our program needs a recovery,” Luck said in a statement that announced Taylor’s dismissal. “In consultation with university leadership, I no longer believe that coach Taylor is the right coach leading our football program. Coach Taylor has been informed today and the change is effective immediately.”
Per ESPN also promotes Stanford narrow -end coach Nate Byham to the offensive coordinator. He will also call the plays.
Reich spent previous time on the West Coast as Quarterback’s coach (2013) and offensive coordinator (2014-15) for the then San Diego chargers. He was Philadelphia Eagles OC from 2016-17 before he was hired to lead Colts.
Stanford has posted four straight 3-9 seasons, the last two under Taylor. The Cardinal’s last look after the season was Sun Bowl 2018.
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