Frank Reich was named the head coach of the Carolina Panthers in January 2023, becoming the team’s first head coach in history with an offensive background. Reich played for four different NFL teams during his 13-year career as a quarterback. He amassed 6,075 passing yards and 40 touchdowns while starting 20 games for the Buffalo Bills, Panthers, New York Jets, and Detroit Lions from 1985 to 1998.
Frank Reich’s Playing Career
Reich played college football for the Maryland Terrapins, mainly backing up Boomer Esiason. As a senior, Reich orchestrated what was then the largest comeback in CFB history when he led the Terrapins back from a 31-0 deficit to a 42-40 win over the Miami Hurricanes in 1984.
Reich was drafted in the third round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Bills. He started just eight games for Buffalo over his nine-year career as a Bill, where he mainly served as Jim Kelly’s backup. After his career in Buffalo was up, Reich signed with the Panthers to serve as their backup in their first year as a team. Yet, he wound up throwing the first touchdown in Panthers history.
Reich then bounced to play for the Jets in 1996, starting seven games for the franchise. He later retired following two years playing for the Lions in 1997 and 1998.
Reich’s Coaching Career
Reich served as a coaching intern for the Indianapolis Colts in 2006 and quickly rose up the ranks to become the team’s quarterbacks coach in 2009. In 2011, he moved over to coach wide receivers but wasn’t retained when head coach Jim Caldwell was fired. With Ken Whisenhunt in 2012, Reich coached wide receivers for the Arizona Cardinals.
Reich was hired as the quarterbacks coach for the San Diego Chargers in 2013 when Whisenhunt was hired, a role he served in for a year. He would then replace Whisenhunt as the Chargers’ offensive coordinator but was fired from that role following the 2016 season.
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Reich transitioned into working as the Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator, where he helped Doug Pederson and the Eagles win the Super Bowl over the New England Patriots. Shortly after that Super Bowl victory, Reich returned to the Colts — this time as their head coach.
Reich served as the Colts’ head coach from 2018 to 2022, where he amassed a 40-33 record. He was fired following a 3-5 start to the 2022 season, where he was replaced by Jeff Saturday.
Now, Reich returns as a head coach for the team whom he threw the first touchdown for — the Carolina Panthers. Reich is tasked with coaching and developing the No. 1 pick of the 2023 NFL Draft in quarterback Bryce Young into who Carolina can consider a franchise QB.
