Stanford Hires Ex-NFL Head Coach As One-Year Interim for 2025

Cardinal general manager Andrew Luck's old boss will replace Troy Taylor.

Frank Reich watches a Panthers game against the Titans from the sidelines. / Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

As it reels from the firing of coach Troy Taylor, Stanford appears to have found a stopgap measure.

The Cardinal are hiring former Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich as their interim coach, according to a Monday morning report from Pete Thamel of ESPN. Reich, 63, has not coached since his dismissal by the Panthers in 2023.

"Both sides have agreed this will be only a one-season agreement. At that point, Stanford will launch a national search," Thamel wrote.

Stanford—one of the most successful programs of the 2010s—has been treading water for several years now. The Cardinal have not been to a bowl game since 2018 after making 10 in a row.

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

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) March 31, 2025

The program hired Taylor away from Sacramento State in Dec. 2022—only for general manager Andrew Luck to fire him on Tuesday amid reports that he bullied staff. Luck played his final NFL season under Reich in 2018.

Stanford is scheduled to open its 2025 season on Aug. 23 at Hawaii.

---

More College Football on Sports Illustrated

feed