Stanford hires Frank Reich as interim football coach in 2025

Stanford has found a one-year solution at head coach before embarking on the search for a permanent solution, the school announced.

Andrew Luck has engaged his former NFL coach to lead the Stanford football program for one year while he finds a permanent replacement, according to insiders. | Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

Stanford has found a replacement for Troy Taylor, at least for one year.

Cardinal general manager Andrew Luck has hired former NFL head coach Frank Reich to lead the Stanford football program for the 2025 season.

The agreement is for Reich to lead the Cardinal for one year on an interim basis while Luck conducts a thorough search for a permanent head football coach.

Reich replaces Taylor, who was relieved of duties by Luck last week after it emerged he was the subject of two internal investigations into his workplace behavior.

Luck and Reich have a prior working relationship, as the latter was the former’s head coach when both were with the Indianapolis Colts.

Reich led the Colts organization from 2018 to 2022, making the NFL Playoffs twice and going 1-1 in his first year with the team, which was Luck’s last before his surprising retirement from football.

Reich was 40-33-1 with the Colts before being fired midway through the 2022 season, and went 1-10 as head coach of the Carolina Panthers before being fired before the end of the 2023 season.

Taylor was forced out of the Stanford program amid allegations that he bullied and belittled female football staffers.

“I could not be more excited for our coaches, staff and players to have Frank as our head football coach for the 2025 season,” Luck said in a statement.

“I have experienced first-hand the incredible impact Frank has demonstrated as a leader and have full confidence he is the perfect steward for this season of Stanford Football.

“Frank is a teacher, a winner and a coach of the highest caliber. Frank’s values align seamlessly with our vision for this program and I firmly believe in his ability to maximize the on-field potential of our student-athletes while serving as a role model in all aspects of their personal growth.”

Reich expressed gratitude in being named to the position and to work with Luck once again.

“I am thrilled to be working with Andrew again to help take an important step in establishing his vision for the Stanford Football program,” Reich said.

“Andrew is an elite leader and competitor, and those traits, along with his genuine passion for this university, resonated in every way and inspired me to accept this role.

“The unique responsibility to mentor the best student-athletes in the world, to be the absolute best in what they aspire to do, is an opportunity I will fully embrace.”

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