Stanford is hiring former NFL coach Frank Reich to guide this system on an interim foundation following Troy Taylor’s firing, the college introduced Monday. Reich is becoming a member of the Cardinal on a one-year cope with Stanford anticipated to launch a nationwide search following the 2025 season. 

Stanford can be selling tight ends coach Nate Byham to offensive coordinator in a corresponding transfer, in accordance with ESPN. The 36-year-old Byham, a former tight finish at Pittsburgh, is coming into his third season on Stanford’s workers. 

This additionally serves as a reunion for Reich and Stanford basic supervisor Andrew Luck; Reich coached Luck with the Indianapolis Colts for one season in 2018. 

“I couldn’t be extra excited for our coaches, workers and gamers to have Frank as our head soccer coach for the 2025 season,” Luck mentioned in a press release. “I’ve skilled first-hand the unbelievable impression Frank has demonstrated as a frontrunner and have full confidence he’s the right steward for this season of Stanford Soccer. Frank is a trainer, a winner and a coach of the very best caliber. Frank’s values align seamlessly with our imaginative and prescient for this program and I firmly imagine in his potential to maximise the on-field potential of our student-athletes whereas serving as a task mannequin in all elements of their private progress.”  

Stanford is giving Reich his first alternative as a collegiate coach, although he brings over 17 years of expertise as knowledgeable assistant and head coach. Reich, a former quarterback at Maryland and within the NFL, earned his first head teaching alternative with the Colts in 2018. 

From 2018-22, Reich guided the Colts to a 40-33-1 file with three successful seasons and two appearances within the NFL Playoffs. Reich spent the 2023 seasons with the Carolina Panthers, the place he was fired after a 1-10 begin to the marketing campaign. Reich has not actively coached since. 

Prior to creating the transfer to Indianapolis, Reich was the offensive coordinator for the then-San Diego Chargers (2014-15) and the Philadelphia Eagles (2016-17). In 2017, he helped the Eagles win their first Tremendous Bowl in franchise historical past.

Stanford fired Taylor on March 25, lower than per week after it was revealed that college investigations discovered he mistreated feminine staffers, in accordance with paperwork obtained by ESPN. The choice was introduced by Luck. 

Fallout at Stanford: Troy Taylor out, workers shocked, Andrew Luck goes into determination mode with choices to weigh

Brandon Huffman

“After continued consideration it’s evident to me that our program wants a reset,” Luck mentioned in a press release. “In session with college management, I now not imagine that Coach Taylor is the appropriate coach to guide our soccer program. Coach Taylor has been knowledgeable at the moment and the change is efficient instantly.” 

Luck turns to a well-recognized face 

Given his outstanding function in Taylor’s firing, there is not any doubt that Luck had his say in naming Reich because the speedy successor. Luck and Reich are acquainted with each other, although their time collectively within the NFL was comparatively restricted. 

Luck was in his seventh and, finally, remaining season with the Colts when Reich was employed in 2018. Luck, who was chosen by Indianapolis out of Stanford with the primary total decide within the 2012 NFL Draft, missed the complete 2017 season whereas rehabbing from a shoulder harm. 

In his lone 12 months underneath Reich, he was in a position to return to motion and began all 16 regular-season video games whereas throwing for 4,593 yards and 39 touchdowns and posting a career-high passer score of 98.7. He was named the NFL Comeback Participant of the Yr and earned the fourth Professional Bowl number of his profession. 

Luck initially determined to return in 2019, however in August, lower than a month earlier than the season was set to begin, he introduced his retirement from soccer as a result of mounting accidents and a strenuous cycle of rehabilitation. Reich solely received not less than 10 video games in a single season as soon as following Luck’s determination to step away from taking part in soccer.