Forgotten ex-head coach with Super Bowl ring offers unique fit for Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills need a head coach, and an old familiar quarterback looks like the right fit

Nov 5, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich with Indianapolis Colts long snapper Luke Rhodes (46) after the game at Bank of America Stadium | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

It's not a name being widely mentioned by numerous, if any, national experts, but it's a name that makes sense for the suddenly head coach-less Buffalo Bills.

Bills' owner Terry Pegula pulled a stunner by firing head coach Sean McDermott on Monday morning, and one would think he had at least a few names in mind before pulling the trigger on the franchise-altering decision.

Although it's pure speculation, it would not be surprising to learn that former Bills' quarterback Frank Reich is on Pegula's initial list.

MORE: Bills suffer another playoff exit due to same Sean McDermott-rooted shortcomings

The 64-year-old Reich may not be the next boy wonder in the mold of Sean McVay, but he offers three key traits that make him an appealing candidate for Buffalo — prior NFL head coaching experience, a Super Bowl victory as an offensive coordinator and the knowledge of what it takes to succeed with this particular organization.

Sep 21, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills former quarterback Jim Kelly hugs San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Frank Reich before the game at Ralph Wilson Stadium. | Kevin Hoffman-Imagn Images

Setting precedent with Sabres

Pegula, who also owns Western New York's NHL franchise, responded to two Sabres' head coaching failures by bringing back former Buffalo bench bosses with histories of success in their old roles.

In 2013, the Sabres re-hired Ted Nolan to replace Ron Rolston. In 2024, Pegula brought in the well-liked Lindy Ruff with the franchise mired in a 13-year postseason drought.

Aug 19, 2010; Toronto, ON, Canada; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (left) talks to quarterback coach Frank Reich before the game against the Buffalo Bills at the Rogers Centre | Tom Szczerbowski-Imagn Images

Although Reich isn't a former Bills' coach, he has plenty of history with the organization as a member of all four Super Bowl teams, and remains revered by the fan base. Buffalo's 1985 third-round draft pick wound up being one of the top backup quarterbacks ever.

MORE: Frank Reich relives Bills' greatest game in Highmark Stadium history

Reich will always be synonymous with the Greatest Comeback in NFL History, leading the Bills to a 41-38 victory after facing a 35-3 third-quarter deficit in the 1992 wild-card round. The following week, Reich and the Bills marched out of Three Rivers Stadium with a 24-0 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jan 31, 1993; Pasadena, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Buffalo Bills Quarterback #14 FRANK REICH in action during Super Bowl XXVII against the Dallas Cowboys at the Rose Bowl. | RVR Photos-Imagn Images

Reich's coaching credentials

The quarterback-turned-coach knows the position as well as anyone, and he could be an asset for an organization looking to cash in during Josh Allen's prime years.

As a coach, Reich was an offensive coordinator for Philip Rivers over two seasons with the San Diego Chargers. Subsequently landing the same job with the Philadelphia Eagles, he had Carson Wentz on the path to the MVP award. Then, after Wentz's injury, Reich's offense rode Nick Foles to a Super Bowl LII victory.

Dec 18, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) talks with offensive coordinator Frank Reich prior to the game against Baltimore Ravens at MT Bank Stadium. | Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

Taking the reins as the Indianapolis Colts' head coach in 2018, Reich's team posted a 10-6 record during his only season with Andrew Luck as the quarterback. Reich and the Colts went 27-22 over the subsequent three seasons without Luck. The Colts fired Reich after a 3-5-1 start to the 2022 campaign.

Reich lasted only 11 games as the Carolina Panthers' head coach in 2023 after a 1-10 start with rookie quarterback Bryce Young.

This past fall, Reich did a favor for Luck, who is now an administrator for Stanford University. With the Cardinal needing a head coach to hold the fort down in the interim, Reich went out west and coached a rebuilding squad to a 4-8 mark.

Nov 22, 2025; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal head coach Frank Reich looks on during the second quarter against the California Golden Bears at Stanford Stadium. | Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

— Sign up for OnSI’s Free Buffalo Bills Newsletter —

More Buffalo Bills News:

• Brandon Beane unfairly survives Bills' purge despite multiple on-the-job failures

• Bills' one-year defensive experiment fizzles out in playoff loss as free agency looms

• Don't blame refs for Bills' loss to Broncos, blame Josh Allen

• Unbeaten Buffalo Bills still have a Sean McDermott problem