Frank Reich Named Interim Coach for Stanford Football’s 2025 Season
Stanford University has officially appointed veteran NFL coach Frank Reich as the interim head football coach for the 2025 season, a decision announced on Monday.
Contract Details and Future Plans
This interim agreement will last for just one season, with the university set to conduct a national search for a permanent head coach to succeed Troy Taylor, who was dismissed last week due to serious allegations related to workplace misconduct.
Reich’s Statement on Coaching
Expressing his enthusiasm for the role, Reich stated, “The unique responsibility to mentor the best student-athletes in the world, to be the absolute best in what they aspire to do, is an opportunity I will fully embrace.”
Background on Troy Taylor’s Dismissal
Taylor’s firing came after investigations by external firms uncovered behavior that included bullying and inappropriate comments towards female staff. His actions raised significant concerns about workplace culture and compliance violations.
Coaching Changes at Stanford
In conjunction with Reich’s hire, Stanford has promoted Nate Byham, the tight ends coach, to offensive coordinator. Byham will take on the play-calling duties for the struggling Cardinal, who have a record of 3-9 over the last four seasons.
Andrew Luck’s Role in the Transition
The hire of Reich is a pivotal move for Andrew Luck, Stanford’s football general manager and a former NFL quarterback. Luck, who joined the university in November with a mission to revitalize the football program, emphasized his belief in Reich’s capability to guide the team through this challenging period. He stated, “I could not be more excited for our coaches, staff and players… Frank is a teacher, a winner and a coach of the highest caliber.”
Reich’s Coaching Experience
At 63, Reich brings a wealth of experience to Stanford. He previously led the Carolina Panthers after his tenure with the Indianapolis Colts. Despite a challenging season with the Panthers, where he faced a 1-10 record before his termination in November 2023, Reich has a notable coaching background. Before taking this role, he served as the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, where he played a key role in their Super Bowl victory in 2018.
Future Challenges for Stanford
Stanford football has been in a downturn, missing bowl games since 2018, and recently faced the setback of one of its top players, David Bailey, entering the NCAA transfer portal. Alongside these developments, the institution is actively searching for a new athletic director after the resignation of Bernard Muir, with Alden Mitchell stepping in as interim.
This decisive shift in Stanford’s football leadership aims not only to address current challenges but also to strategically position the program for eventual success in future seasons.