The Indianapolis Colts have fired head coach Frank Reich following a Week 9 meltdown, and the move couldnāt have come sooner for Colts fans.
The 3-5-1 Indianapolis Colts are still, miraculously, only second in the AFC South, but a 26-3 loss to the New England Patriots was enough to send their head coach packing.
On Monday morning, ESPNās Adam Schefter broke the news that the Colts fired head coach Frank Reich.
Frank Reich is out as the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/8Rat1EvNBk
ā Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 7, 2022
Colts owner Jim Irsay confirmed that the organization had āparted waysā with Reich.
We have parted ways with head coach Frank Reich. pic.twitter.com/Fam6rNYfKM
ā Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) November 7, 2022
The Indianapolis Colts have parted ways with head coach Frank Reich.
ā Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) November 7, 2022
Thereās been a flurry of discussion about Reichās tenure with the Colts as journalists and sports fans pore over his record and his recent performance.
The Athletic included Reichās record with the Colts over his four-plus years in Indianapolis: 40-33-1.
The Colts are firing head coach Frank Reich, a source confirms to @jeffphowe.
ā The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) November 7, 2022
Reich compiled a 40-33-1 record over four-plus seasons with Indianapolis. pic.twitter.com/Egw8ZRhT3t
Ian Rapoport and Ari Meirov spell out the dumpster fire that is now the Colts offense: no head coach, no offensive coordinator, and a young quarterback who just saw his first NFL start against a league-leading defense.
A few weeks ago, owner Jim Irsay considered Frank Reich safe. Now, a new QB, no OCā¦ and now a new head coach.
ā Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 7, 2022
The #Colts in the last two weeks:
ā Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 7, 2022
Oct. 24: Benched Matt Ryan for Sam Ehlinger.
Oct. 30: Lost to the Commanders at home after leading by 9 in the 4th quarter.
Nov. 1: Fired OC Marcus Brady
Nov. 6: Lost 26-3 to the Patriots.
Nov. 7: Fired HC Frank Reich.
Several other NFL journalists noted how dire the offense has been under Reich for the past few weeks.
The #Colts had lost three in a row, scoring 29 points total while making a QB change. Now Frank Reich is out midway through his fifth season. https://t.co/StWcbZLP2H
ā Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 7, 2022
after Week 7: Matt Ryan benched for Sam Ehlinger
ā Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) November 7, 2022
after Week 8: Marcus Brady fired
after Week 9: Frank Reich fired
Jim Irsay is done losing, man https://t.co/1tzlK7IeH3
Rapoport also noted how uncharacteristic it is to see two NFL head coaches benched by early November: Matt Rhule and now Reich.
Itās Nov. 7, and the two NFL head coaches, Frank Reich and Matt Rhule, already have been fired.
ā Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 7, 2022
Colts fire Frank Reich: Best memes and tweets
For many NFL fans, it was the accountability they were hoping for but didnāt expect.
What we want: Ballard and Reich fired.
ā Jason Thomas (@JasonThomasxl) November 6, 2022
What weāll get: A video of @JimIrsay by a jet rambling, Frank Reich saying we were out coached & Chris Ballard continuing to hide from any responsibility and questions. #Colts #ForTheShoe
"I know this doesn't carry weight out there but you're never as far off as you think." - Frank Reich.
ā Brett Bensley (@brettbensley) November 6, 2022
The #Colts only scoring drive against the Patriots: 8 plays, 18 yards and a 40yd FG. pic.twitter.com/g0ytAEZSsf
Patiently waiting a āFrank Reich has been relieved of his coaching dutiesā update at any second today. @JimIrsay #ForTheShoe
ā š³š š²šŗ š¦ š šøš²š· ā¶ā š³š š¾š½ (@Duck_AR5) November 7, 2022
Called for Frank Reich to be let go this morning. #Colts made the move. https://t.co/nl2RijmEYZ
ā Matt Lombardo š (@MattLombardoNFL) November 7, 2022
Colin Cowherd called out Jim Irsay for being āimpulsiveā in his decision, detailing how the Colts have struggled not because of their head coach, but because of the challenging situations the owner foisted upon the team. First, Irsay wanted Wentz, then wanted him out just as quickly, leaving Reich to work with an impulsive Matt Ryan.
āDealing with impulsive owners is really hard. Irsay wanted Wentz out ā this is what youāre left with.ā
.@ColinCowherd reacts to Frank Reich out as Colts head coach pic.twitter.com/EFgMaFX9dv
ā The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) November 7, 2022
The Ringerās Benjamin Solak agreed that the recent losses are unfairly pinned on Reich. Instead, the organization should be more critical of Chris Ballard, the general manager who put Reich and the organization in such a difficult predicament in the first place.
Frank Reich is a good head coach, man. Everyone always gets a piece, but it's very tough to look at this roster over the last few years and blame anyone more than Chris Ballard. The Colts believed they could out-draft and out-develop the NFL year after year. It's just too hard.
ā Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) November 7, 2022
But after yesterdayās loss against the Patriots, the decisions Reich did make stacked up in favor against him. Ignoring whatever hand he may have been dealt, the reality is that the Colts suffered a brutal loss, and Reich took on all the blame.
Frank Reich benched Matt Ryan and fired his OC so the Colts could run 22 plays for 20 yards.
ā Wildes (@kevinwildes) November 6, 2022
Frank Reich said that the Colts "had a lot of focus" on Matthew Judon.
ā Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) November 6, 2022
Judon sacked Ehlinger on the Colts' first play of the game. And the third (negated by penalty). And two more third downs, one where he was completely unblocked. And he had a fourth-and-1 tackle when unblocked pic.twitter.com/xi3LzbCl7m
Considering that Reich and Ballard criticized Wentz for his play last year, it seems that the head coach is now bearing the brunt of those criticisms now, too.
Frank Reich and Chris Ballard both publicly dragged and humiliated Carson Wentz last off-season (after bragging about trading for him less than a year prior).
ā RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) November 1, 2022
The Colts stink and have zero accountability. https://t.co/YHYVthUNvL
Colts fans will have to wait and see if Ballard ā or perhaps arch nemesis Josh McDaniels ā could be next.