Former Colts Head Coach Returns to NFL With AFC East Job

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Former Colts head coach returns to NFL

After two seasons away from the NFL, former Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich is making a return to the league.

Reich, who was head coach for the organization from 2018 to the 2022 season, was the most recent successful head coach for Indy.

The team had three winning records under the former HC and made two playoff trips during his tenure, including making it to the AFC divisional in Reich’s first season back in 2018. During his five years with the Colts, Reich accrued a record of 40-33-1.

Reich coached the Carolina Panthers in the 2023 season following his dismissal from the Colts, but was fired after the team went 1-10.

The former Indianapolis head coach then went to the NCAA and became the interim head coach for Stanford while the team searched for a permanent option, leading the Cardinals to a 4-8 record.

Now, Reich has returns to the league after being out of the NFL for a couple of seasons.

Frank Reich Takes Coordinator Job

GettyFrank Reich will return to the NFL

Frank Reich has over 17 years of coaching at the NFL level, beginning his coaching career with the Indianapolis Colts in 2006 when he was hired as a coaching intern.

Now, 20 years later, he will return to the league. According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, Reich will become the next offensive coordinator for the New York Jets, joining Aaron Glenn’s coaching staff.

Reich’s hiring comes after the Jets parted ways with the majority of the coaching staff, including former OC Tanner Engstrand, who was with the team for just one season.

The former head coach will be an OC for the first time since he was with the Philadelphia Eagles for the 2016 and 2017 seasons, before taking the HC position with the Colts.

Philly was in the upper half of points per game in 2016 and tied for the second-best scoring offense in the 2017 season, averaging 28.6 points per game.

New York had the fourth-worst scoring offense in the league, averaging 17.6 points per game in the 2025 season.

Now, the former Colt and Panther head coach will have a lot on his plate in his first season returning to the NFL.

Concerning Role With Jets

GettyNew York Jets quarterback Justin Fields

While returning to the NFL will put a smile on Frank Reich’s face, the New York Jets are still facing some difficulty heading forward.

During his stint with the Colts, Indy was unable to find a long-term or franchise quarterback and following Andrew Luck’s retirement. Heading to New York, the Jets find themselves in a similar position.

All signs point to Justin Fields being the starter next season, but after his performance in 2025, many believe the NYJ could go with a different signal caller.

New York has been urged by multiple NFL analysts and writers to pursue Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis, who could provide some upside, but also adds uncertainty on who will be the starter in the opening week.

The Jets’ job does come with some upside. The team has the second overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and will have around $83 million in cap space for the upcoming free agency, which Aaron Glenn and Frank Reich can use to their advantage going forward.

Jason Garcia Jason Garcia is a sports contributor for Heavy Sports who joined the team in 2025, covering the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. More about Jason Garcia