Here are six areas of interest hinting at Frank Reich’s odyssey from former NFL quarterback and head and assistant coach spanning the USA to being named by head coach Aaron Glenn as the Jets’ new offensive coordinator:
Well-Traveled Coach
Most important to the Jets and their fans are Reich’s coaching credentials, most coming on the NFL level. His journey took him to Indianapolis as a coaching intern in 2006 and then a position coach. From there he trekked to Arizona, San Diego, Philadelphia, back to Indy as head coach, on to Carolina for a shorter HC stint, and most recently last year to Stanford, where he replaced Troy Taylor {another former Jets QB} as interim head coach before finishing the season as a senior advisor to the Cardinal program.
His head-coaching record was 41-35-1 with the Colts, including 1-2 in the playoffs, and 1-10 with the Panthers. He also served as an offensive coordinator for four seasons split between the Chargers {ranked ninth in the NFL in total yards and fourth in passing yards in 2015) and Eagles (seventh in total yards, third in rush yards, third in points in ’17}.
Long Island Connections
Reich began life as a Long Islander. He was born in 1961 in Freeport, NY, a village in the sprawling town of Hempstead, which of course is just a few longballs north of Freeport to Hofstra University, the Jets’ base of operations through 2008.
Reich didn’t remain a New Yorker for long, becoming a three-sport star and top QB at Cedar Crest HS in Lebanon, PA, before heading for the University of Maryland. As a Terrapin, he gained at least one more Long Island connection when he was a roommate of and served as a three-year backup to Boomer Esiason, the East Islip and Long Island superstar on the field and in the talk show studio and multiple stadium TV and radio booths … and, needless to say, another former Jets QB.