Reich and Andrew Luck are rekindling their professional relationship, as Luck was hired as the football GM for Stanford a few months back. Reich, who coached Luck from 2018 until Luck’s surprising decision to retire in August 2019, is stepping in for a brief stint. Stanford is clear on this being a short-term setup, with Reich filling in as interim head coach while the program resets after Troy Taylor’s departure.
Taylor’s dismissal came on the heels of an investigation that uncovered instances of him bullying female staff members, amongst other issues. Reich, who’s well-regarded from his NFL coaching career, will serve as a temporary fix for Stanford, now part of the ACC, as the program hunts for a permanent head coach.
At 63, Reich will take on the role of a CEO-like head coach at Stanford, which contrasts with his previous responsibilities in Indianapolis. Tight ends coach Nate Byham is moving up to take on the role of offensive coordinator, signaling a shift in play-calling responsibilities. Unlike in his Colts days, this time around, different dynamics are at play as Luck hands over control to his old mentor for this transitional phase.
Reich isn’t new to the challenges of college football, now characterized by the complexities of the transfer portal and NIL commitments. Although Reich and Luck only paired together briefly due to Luck’s abrupt retirement just as Reich began his second season, they’ve maintained a strong relationship. Back in 2018, Reich led Luck to an impressive Comeback Player of the Year season, when the Colts unexpectedly pushed their way into the NFL’s divisional round. Over the years, the Colts have grappled with finding a worthy successor for Luck, a search that eventually led to Reich’s firing during the 2022 season.
After being let go by the Panthers in December 2023, Reich expressed doubt about returning to coaching. But he’s not alone in making a comeback after seeming retirement. Despite a rough 1-11 run with the Panthers in 2023, Reich’s coaching credentials remain noteworthy. He was pivotal as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator during their Super Bowl LII win and steered the Colts to the playoffs twice, once with Philip Rivers at quarterback. Now, he takes on a Stanford team that has had a rough run, going 3-9 for four consecutive seasons, despite having no previous college coaching experience.
Luck’s return to Stanford last November marked the beginning of changes, initially holding onto Taylor despite the school’s probe. But plans shifted, setting the stage for this temporary return to form the bridge to a future phase. Unfolding over these next couple of years until a permanent head coach is found, Luck will be instrumental in finding Reich’s successor beyond 2025.
