Jets, Frank Reich talk in person about vacant offensive coordinator position
Former Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich looks on during the second half of the game against the Titans on Nov. 26, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. Credit: Getty Images/Wesley Hitt
The Jets held an in-person second interview with Frank Reich on Tuesday for their offensive coordinator position.
Reich, considered the frontrunner for the job, is one of three known finalists for the vacancy that opened up when Aaron Glenn parted ways with Tanner Engstrand last week. The Jets also held second interviews with Darrell Bevell and Greg Roman on Monday.
Glenn, who finished with a 3-14 record in his first season as head coach, is trying to bolster the offensive coaching staff heading into an important year for his job security. It’s possible that the Jets will hire more than one of the finalists to fill the various open positions.
The Jets also are looking for a quarterbacks coach, passing game coordinator and perhaps a running game coordinator. All three men are long-time coaches with extensive experience working on the offensive side of the football.
Glenn was speaking to Reich while Engstrand was still on staff. Glenn targeted Reich as a play caller with Engstrand expected to take a demotion. Glenn and Engstrand couldn’t agree on a role, so Engstrand was let go.
Reich, 64, spent 14 years in the NFL as a quarterback and 18 more as a coach. He played one season for the Jets and was teammates with Glenn on the 1996 team that went a franchise-worst 1-15.
Born in Freeport, Reich has been a head coach (Colts, Panthers), offensive coordinator (Eagles, Chargers) and quarterbacks coach (Chargers). He’s been out of the NFL since 2023. The Panthers fired Reich after 11 games in his only season as their coach. Reich was 1-10.
Most recently, Reich worked at Stanford as a senior advisor. He was Stanford’s interim head coach in 2025 and posted a 4-8 record.
Reich was the Colts coach from 2018-22. He guided them to the postseason in two of his first three seasons. Indianapolis was a top-10 offense both playoff years. Reich was fired nine games into the 2022 season after compiling a 40-33-1 record with Indianapolis.
Prior to that, Reich spent two seasons as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator. Doug Pederson was the primary play caller, but Reich helped develop Carson Wentz and won Super Bowl LII with Philadelphia.
Reich spent the previous three seasons with the Chargers as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He also was the Cardinals wide receivers coach for one season. Reich got his start in coaching with Indianapolis as an intern in 2006 before being promoted to offensive assistant.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
