Frank Michael Reich, more popularly known as Frank Reich, is a coach and former quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins (University of Maryland, College Park). Reich was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 1985 NFL Draft as the 57th overall pick.
As a player, Frank was one of the most prominent names as a backup quarterback. He spent most of his career playing second string and recorded 6,075 passing yards with a passer rating of 72.9. Reich completed 40 touchdowns for 36 interceptions as well.
Frank Reich started his coaching career with the Indianapolis Colts back in 2006 as a coaching intern. He later rose through the ranks with the Colts and served as the quarterbacks coach as well as the wide receivers coach. He left them in 2012 and worked with other teams such as the San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, and Philadelphia Eagles.
Reich was mostly appointed in the role of offensive coordinator or quarterbacks coach with these teams. His area of expertise has always been offense. He returned to the Indianapolis Colts in 2018 and was appointed head coach for the first time in his career.
Frank Reich has had an average coaching career with an unimpressive record to his name
Frank Reich has an overall record of 41 wins, 43 losses, and 1 tie in a total of 85 regular-season games so far. If we consider post-season games as well, that record stands at 42 wins for 45 losses. He has won the Super Bowl as an offensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles and as a coaching intern with the Indianapolis Colts.
Panthers fire head coach Frank Reich. (via @rapsheet, @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/ElDZOCk80C
— NFL (@NFL) November 27, 2023
His most recent job was with the Carolina Panthers, whom he joined before the start of the 2023–24 NFL season. However, Frank Reich was fired from his position on November 27th after a terrible campaign. The Panthers were 1-10 in the regular season after the latest 17-10 defeat to the Tennessee Titans. With this firing, Frank Reich became the first coach in NFL history to be fired in the middle of the season in consecutive seasons.
Frank Reich was terminated by the Indianapolis Colts after failing to deliver up to expectations
Frank Reich’s termination from the Indianapolis Colts was primarily due to his poor offensive tactics. Being an expert in creative offensive plays, his performance with the Colts was below par in the 2022 NFL season. The Colts ranked a horrid 27th out of all 32 teams in offense.
One and done 🚨 🚨 🚨
The #Panthers have fired coach Frank Reich, sources say, moving on before his first season is over.
Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor is the interim coach and addressing the team now. Jim Caldwell moves to special advisor working with the offense. pic.twitter.com/Cn0WUJPhYA
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 27, 2023
Even Frank Reich admitted he hadn’t been able to deliver up to the levels expected of him. “The offensive performance—that’s why I was brought here,” Reich said. “That’s my responsibility; it starts with me. I have to do a better job getting the guys ready to play, putting them in a position to win, and having answers when we face problems.”
Moreover, Colts owner Jim Irsay has a track record of never firing a head coach in the middle of the season. However, after their tragic 26-3 loss to the New England Patriots, even he had to overturn that record. The decision to trade in quarterback Matt Ryan also backfired on Frank Reich.