Frank Reich Returns To New York Jets As Offensive Coordinator

The New York Jets have ushered in a new era for their offense, officially announcing on February 4, 2026, the hiring of Frank Reich as their offensive coordinator. The move comes after a period of soul-searching for the franchise, which finished the 2025 NFL season with a disappointing 3-14 record and an offense ranked near the bottom of the league in nearly every major category. Jets fans, who have been clamoring for change and innovation, are watching closely as Reich steps into a pivotal role under head coach Aaron Glenn.

Reich, 64, is no stranger to the NFL spotlight. His coaching résumé spans 16 years and includes stints as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts (2018–2022) and Carolina Panthers (2023), as well as offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles during their Super Bowl LII championship run in 2016–17. The Jets, who parted ways with previous offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand on January 27 after just one season, are banking on Reich’s wealth of experience to rejuvenate an offense that finished 29th in total offense and points, and dead last—32nd—in passing yards per game last season.

Reich’s journey back to the NFL is a testament to his resilience and adaptability. After his tough stint with the Panthers, where he was dismissed following a 1-10 start in 2023, Reich stepped away from professional football in 2024, even contemplating retirement. But the coaching bug proved hard to shake. In 2025, he took on the interim head coach position at Stanford University, stepping in after the firing of Troy Taylor. The call came from none other than his former Colts quarterback, Andrew Luck, who reached out to Reich to help stabilize the Cardinal program during a tumultuous period. Under Reich’s leadership, Stanford managed to beat Cal in the Big Game, pulled off a shocking upset over Florida State, and posted a winning home record for the first time since 2018. Once Tavita Pritchard was named Stanford’s permanent head coach in November 2025, Reich transitioned into a senior advisor role before returning to the NFL ranks.

His NFL coaching career began with the Colts in 2006, where he started as an intern and worked his way up through various assistant roles. By 2012, he was the Arizona Cardinals’ wide receivers coach, then moved to the San Diego Chargers from 2013–15 as quarterbacks coach and later offensive coordinator. His most celebrated achievement came as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator, helping guide Philadelphia to a Super Bowl victory in the 2017 season. As Colts head coach, Reich compiled a 40-33-1 record and led the team to playoff appearances in 2018 and 2020. Despite his abrupt exits in Indianapolis and Carolina, Reich’s reputation for offensive innovation and steady leadership remains strong throughout league circles.

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, who is entering his second year at the helm, expressed unreserved enthusiasm for the hire. “Frank has a rare combination of experience, creativity, and calm under pressure,” Glenn said in a team release. “He’s lived this game from every angle—as a quarterback in this league and as a coach who’s led offenses at the highest level. He is unique in his ability to see the game for what it is right now and adapt when appropriate. Frank understands offense and how to utilize the strengths of players. I am looking forward to how he will help this team have success.”

Interestingly, Reich and Glenn share more than just a working relationship—they were teammates on the Jets back in 1996. Reich, who was born in Freeport, New York, started seven games at quarterback that year, while Glenn was a starting cornerback. Their reunion in New York brings a sense of symmetry to their careers, as both now seek to steer the Jets back to relevance.

The search for a new offensive coordinator was thorough. Reich interviewed virtually with the Jets on January 28, alongside candidates Darrell Bevell, Ronald Curry, Greg Roman, and Lunda Wells. According to team sources, the pursuit of Reich accelerated after the initial round of interviews, with his play-calling experience and quarterback acumen setting him apart. The Jets’ emphasis on finding a coordinator with a proven track record around the quarterback position was clear, as all five candidates brought significant experience in developing signal-callers and designing offenses.

Reich’s arrival is just one piece of a broader overhaul of the Jets’ coaching staff. Earlier this month, the team hired Brian Duker as defensive coordinator, following a brief flirtation with former Giants defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale. According to reports, advanced talks with Martindale fell through due to a misunderstanding over play-calling responsibilities. The Jets’ proactive approach in filling both coordinator roles underscores their urgency to reverse the team’s fortunes after a forgettable 2025 campaign.

With Reich now in charge of the offense, attention turns to the quarterback position—a persistent source of frustration and instability for the Jets in recent years. The team is expected to explore options in both free agency and the upcoming NFL Draft. Reich’s reputation for maximizing quarterback talent and adapting schemes to player strengths will be put to the test, as the Jets seek to climb out of the league’s offensive cellar. The pressure is on, but if anyone can engineer a turnaround, it may well be the coach who once orchestrated one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history as a player and helped deliver a Super Bowl as a coordinator.

Reich’s ties to New York run deep. After his childhood in Freeport, he moved to Lebanon, Pennsylvania, where he was a multi-sport athlete in high school before starring at the University of Maryland. Drafted in the third round of the 1985 NFL Draft, Reich’s 14-year playing career included stops with the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions, and the Jets. His legendary rally for the Bills in the 1992 playoffs remains one of the most iconic moments in league history.

As the 2026 offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on how Reich and Glenn mold the Jets’ offense. Will this reunion of former teammates spark the innovation and resilience needed to revitalize a struggling franchise? With a proven play-caller at the helm and a renewed sense of purpose, the Jets are poised for a fascinating chapter—one that fans hope will finally deliver sustained success.