Stanford has hired veteran NFL coach Frank Reich as their interim head coach for the 2025 season, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. The move comes just one week after the university fired Troy Taylor following bullying investigations.
Both sides have agreed to a one-year arrangement, with Stanford planning to conduct a national search for a permanent head coach after the 2025-26 season.
Sources: Stanford is hiring veteran NFL coach Frank Reich as the school’s interim football coach for 2025 season. Both sides have agreed this will be only a one-season agreement. At that point, Stanford will launch a national search. pic.twitter.com/21NuVUCjjt
Andrew Luck, Stanford’s football program general manager since 2024, has a previous connection with Reich. Reich coached Luck during his final season as an NFL quarterback with the Indianapolis Colts.
Reich’s coaching career spans nearly two decades in the NFL. He began as a coaching intern with the Colts in 2006 before advancing to wide receivers coach.
He served as the San Diego Chargers’ offensive coordinator in 2014 before landing his first head coaching position with the Colts from 2018-22. Reich was fired midway through the 2022 season.
His most recent coaching position was with the Carolina Panthers in 2023, where he was dismissed after just 11 games—the fourth-shortest tenure for any head coach in NFL history.
Thamel reported that Stanford is also promoting tight ends coach Nate Byham to offensive coordinator. Byham will handle play-calling duties for the Cardinal.
Stanford is promoting tight ends coach Nate Byham to offensive coordinator, as a corresponding move with the Frank Reich promotion. Byham is also set to be the playcaller.
Reich will lead Stanford in its second season in the ACC. The Cardinal will open their season on August 23 at Hawaii.
