Report: Frank Reich will take Indianapolis Colts head coaching job
By John Buhler
The last NFL head coaching vacancy will be filled soon. Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich is reportedly going to the Indianapolis Colts.
It has been only a week since Super Bowl LII, but things got really spicy in the last seven days with regards to the Indianapolis Colts head coaching search. The gig was supposedly going to go to New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, but he backed out on Tuesday afternoon in favor of staying in Foxborough.
That foiled the Colts’ coaching plans, but do seem to have landed possibly a better head coaching candidate in the former of Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich. Reich emerged as the leader for the Colts job after McDaniels turned it down after last minute on Tuesday. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen, Reich will end up being the guy in Indianapolis to lead the Colts.
Albert Breer of the Monday Morning Quarterback would add that this will be the second offensive coach the Eagles will lose since winning Super Bowl LII. Quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo has left for the Minnesota Vikings to be their new offensive coordinator. DeFilippo replaces Pat Shurmur, who is now the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.
Frank Reich has emerged as the favorite to become the new head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, who are hoping to hire the Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator once they have negotiated a signed, sealed and delivered contract, per @mortreport and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 11, 2018
Per source, the Colts' search is now focused on Eagles OC Frank Reich, and Reich has told friends he plans to take the job. (@mortreport/@AdamSchefter first on it.) Would be second assistant Philly's lost in a week.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 11, 2018
What is interesting about this hire is that three coaches McDaniels picked to be on his staff will remain in their roles, including new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. Eberflus was with the Dallas Cowboys for the last several years as linebackers coach and a passing game coordinator.
Reich is an NFL lifer. He played quarterback in the NFL from 1985 to 1998. Reich is best known as Jim Kelly’s backup with the Buffalo Bills. His greatest game was the 1992 AFC Wild Card game, where he quarterbacked the Bills to victory after overcoming a 35-3 deficit to win 41-38 in overtime. It is the greatest comeback in NFL playoff history.
Reich had spent the last four years as NFL offensive coordinator with the then San Diego Chargers (2014-15) and the Eagles (2016-17). Given that Reich used to coach in Indianapolis from 2008 to 2011, it should come as no surprise that he’ll take over as the next head coach of the Colts.
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Getting an offensive mind as strong as Reich should be huge for the Colts. This will be the first former quarterback that will be Andrew Luck’s head coach in Indianapolis. Luck may still be on the mend from his shoulder injury, but landing Reich would be an outstanding hire for the Colts to make.