Stanford is expected to name Frank Reich as its interim head coach for the 2025 season, sources confirmed to FootballScoop on Monday. ESPN's Pete Thamel first reported the news on Monday.
Reich will lead the program for this upcoming season while Luck and company search for a full-time head coach to lead the Cardinal in 2026 and beyond. With the move, tight ends coach Nate Byham will become Stanford's offensive coordinator and play-caller, Thamel reported.
The move comes as new general manager Andrew Luck fired head coach Troy Taylor last week following reporting by ESPN that Taylor had been the subject of two workplace misconduct investigations regarding his treatment of subordinates, particularly women.
The connection between Luck and Reich is obvious. Reich was Luck's head coach with the Indianapolis Colts for what turned out to be Luck's final season of 2018. Luck retired from football in Aug. 2019, with Reich as the head coach. Reich remained with the Colts until the midpoint of the 2022 season, going 40-33-1 with two playoff appearances. He then spent 2023 as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers; Reich went 1-10 before he was again let go mid-season.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.
Update: Stanford has announced the move.
“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. “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.”
“I am thrilled to be working with Andrew again to help take an important step in establishing his vision for the Stanford Football program,” said Reich. “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.”