{"id":17872,"date":"2026-02-04T16:08:39","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T16:08:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/frank-reich-jets-oc\/"},"modified":"2026-02-04T16:08:39","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T16:08:39","slug":"frank-reich-jets-oc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/frank-reich-jets-oc\/","title":{"rendered":"Jets to hire Frank Reich as new offensive coordinator, sources say"},"content":{"rendered":"<article>\n<p>After a multi-week search that concluded on Feb. 4, 2026, league sources say Aaron Glenn has won his top target: Frank Reich will be the New York Jets\u2019 next offensive coordinator. The move follows the team\u2019s parting with Tanner Engstrand last week and a series of interviews that included Greg Roman, Darrell Bevell, Lunda Wells and Ronald Curry. Reich, 64, has not been an NFL play-caller since his head-coaching stints ended in 2023, but people close to the situation say Glenn pitched Reich on being the \u201chead coach of the offense\u201d while Glenn refocuses on the defense. The hire reunites two veterans who were teammates on the 1996 Jets and sets new expectations for a roster still lacking a confirmed starting quarterback.<\/p>\n<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Frank Reich, 64, agreed to become the New York Jets\u2019 offensive coordinator after a multi-week pursuit led by general manager Aaron Glenn (Feb. 4, 2026).<\/li>\n<li>The Jets dismissed Tanner Engstrand last week; Greg Roman and Darrell Bevell interviewed in person while Lunda Wells and Ronald Curry interviewed virtually.<\/li>\n<li>Reich\u2019s recent resume: interim Stanford head coach in 2025, fired as Carolina Panthers head coach in 2023, and head coach of the Colts from 2018\u20132022.<\/li>\n<li>In Reich\u2019s first four seasons with the Colts (2018\u20132021) Indianapolis ranked 7th in offensive EPA, 9th in scoring and 11th in yards; those figures fell sharply in 2022 before his firing.<\/li>\n<li>During the nine games before his 2022 Colts firing the offense ranked 32nd in EPA and 31st in scoring; Reich\u2019s 11 games with the Panthers produced similar low-end rankings.<\/li>\n<li>The Jets retain uncertainty at quarterback heading into the draft (they hold the No. 2 pick; Fernando Mendoza is projected to go No. 1), and star receiver Garrett Wilson is expected back from injury for 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Aaron Glenn also hired Brian Duker as defensive coordinator, but multiple sources expect Glenn to remain the defensive play-caller.<\/li>\n<li>Top NFL coordinators typically earn about $3\u20135 million per year; sources say Glenn offered Reich a substantial coordinator salary to join the staff.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Background<\/h2>\n<p>The Jets entered a staffing reset after parting ways with offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand last week. General manager Aaron Glenn signaled a desire to strengthen the offensive leadership while he concentrates on restoring a defense that underperformed in 2025. That plan included seeking a veteran voice who could both mentor younger players and assume play-calling responsibility or at least command the offense\u2019s overall direction.<\/p>\n<p>Frank Reich\u2019s r\u00e9sum\u00e9 combines clear highs and recent lows. He earned a reputation for quarterback development in San Diego\/Los Angeles with Philip Rivers and as offensive coordinator for the 2017 Philadelphia Eagles\u2019 Super Bowl team. Reich\u2019s first four seasons as Indianapolis Colts head coach produced solid aggregate offensive metrics, but the late-stage collapse in 2022 and a difficult stint with the Carolina Panthers marred that record.<\/p>\n<p>Reich spent 2025 as Stanford\u2019s interim head coach and was expected to move into an advisory role in 2026 before the Jets pursued him. People close to Reich had considered retirement, but the Jets\u2019 pitch \u2014 reportedly offering Reich the title of the offense\u2019s head and a sizable coordinator salary \u2014 persuaded him to return to the NFL.<\/p>\n<h2>Main Event<\/h2>\n<p>The Jets conducted an extended interview process that included in-person meetings with Greg Roman and Darrell Bevell and virtual interviews with Lunda Wells and Ronald Curry. Reich, however, was the consistent frontrunner. Sources say Glenn engaged in direct outreach and framed the position as an opportunity to run the offense while Glenn repairs the defense and handles defensive play-calling.<\/p>\n<p>Reich accepted the offer after weighing retirement plans and a possible senior-adviser role at Stanford. The hire reunites Reich and Glenn, who were teammates on the 1996 Jets \u2014 a 1\u201315 season under Rich Kotite \u2014 creating a narrative of a three-decade reunion within the same franchise. Reich\u2019s return to a coordinator post will be his first NFL offensive leadership role since 2023.<\/p>\n<p>Alongside Reich\u2019s hiring, the Jets named Brian Duker as defensive coordinator, though multiple sources indicate Glenn will continue to call defensive plays. The staff reshuffle signals a clear division of labor: Reich to lead offensive strategy and quarterback development; Glenn to focus on defensive schematic overhaul and in-game defensive adjustments.<\/p>\n<p>The timing of the hire also intersects with the Jets\u2019 draft and roster questions. With the No. 2 pick and no assured starting quarterback, Reich\u2019s early months will likely influence whether the team selects a QB, trades for a veteran, or leans on an existing option while grooming talent.<\/p>\n<h2>Analysis &#038; Implications<\/h2>\n<p>Short term, Reich\u2019s principal task is stabilizing a Jets offense that has playmaking pieces but lacks certainty at quarterback. Garrett Wilson\u2019s expected return for 2026 and a generally capable offensive line give Reich a foundation; conversely, the team risks losing running back Breece Hall to free agency and lacks depth at tight end and complementary wide receiver spots. Reich\u2019s ability to adapt schemes to available personnel will be tested immediately.<\/p>\n<p>Reich\u2019s track record is mixed: he has demonstrated clear skill developing quarterbacks \u2014 Rivers in San Diego and Carson Wentz in Philadelphia \u2014 yet his later head-coaching results showed steep decline. The Colts\u2019 strong aggregate offensive ranks in his early years contrast sharply with the 2022 collapse and the Panthers\u2019 struggles, so expectations should be calibrated: Reich can create growth but is not a guaranteed fix.<\/p>\n<p>Strategically, the hire may affect the Jets\u2019 draft calculus. If Reich and the front office prefer a quarterback who fits Reich\u2019s scheme, the Jets could either use their No. 2 pick on a QB prospect or explore trades for experienced options \u2014 Jacoby Brissett (now with the Cardinals) was mentioned as a possible, if unlikely, target. The team also must decide whether Reich will hold play-calling duties; how that question is resolved will shape in-game identity.<\/p>\n<p>Financially, the salary offered to Reich \u2014 described by sources as sizable and in line with top coordinator pay \u2014 signals the franchise\u2019s willingness to invest in experienced coaching to accelerate a playoff window. That investment raises pressure for immediate offensive improvement, especially given the Jets\u2019 pattern of coordinator turnover (no OC has lasted more than two seasons since Brian Schottenheimer).<\/p>\n<h2>Comparison &#038; Data<\/h2>\n<figure>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Era<\/th>\n<th>EPA Rank<\/th>\n<th>Scoring Rank<\/th>\n<th>Yards Rank<\/th>\n<th>Rushing Rank<\/th>\n<th>Passing Rank<\/th>\n<th>3rd-Down Rank<\/th>\n<th>Red Zone Rank<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Colts, Reich&#8217;s first 4 seasons (2018\u20132021, combined)<\/td>\n<td>7th<\/td>\n<td>9th<\/td>\n<td>11th<\/td>\n<td>5th<\/td>\n<td>15th<\/td>\n<td>7th<\/td>\n<td>11th<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Colts, nine games in 2022 (pre-firing)<\/td>\n<td>32nd<\/td>\n<td>31st<\/td>\n<td>27th<\/td>\n<td>30th<\/td>\n<td>12th<\/td>\n<td>24th<\/td>\n<td>31st<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Panthers, 11 games (Reich tenure)<\/td>\n<td>29th<\/td>\n<td>29th<\/td>\n<td>30th<\/td>\n<td>28th<\/td>\n<td>30th<\/td>\n<td>20th<\/td>\n<td>19th<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Stanford (season under Reich)<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"6\">122nd in scoring, 127th in yards (national college ranks)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The table highlights Reich\u2019s best and worst stretches: strong aggregate NFL offensive metrics in Indianapolis early on, followed by marked declines in 2022 and during his short tenure with Carolina. The college-level Stanford ranks reflect talent gaps rather than a direct NFL comparison, but they contextualize the downturn in results since Reich\u2019s earlier coordinator peaks.<\/p>\n<h2>Reactions &#038; Quotes<\/h2>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;He was always considered the favorite for the position,&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>League sources (reported)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>That assessment accompanied multiple reports that Reich emerged early as Aaron Glenn\u2019s preferred candidate. League sources described Reich as the front-runner throughout the Jets&#8217; interview process.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Head coach of the offense,&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Aaron Glenn (reported pitch)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>According to people familiar with Reich\u2019s decision, Glenn framed the role as giving Reich full control of offensive design while Glenn concentrated on the defense and defensive play-calling.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Reich is respected for quarterback development and player relationships,&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>NFL analysts (reported)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Analysts who have followed Reich\u2019s career emphasize his history mentoring quarterbacks as a primary rationale for the hire, even while noting the mixed results later in his head-coaching tenure.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<details>\n<summary>Explainer: What an NFL offensive coordinator does<\/summary>\n<p>An offensive coordinator designs game plans, scripts plays for early downs, develops position-group coaches and often oversees quarterbacks. Some coordinators also call plays in-game; others share or cede that role to the head coach. The role requires adapting schemes to personnel, managing weekly adjustments, and collaborating with the front office on roster fits. Salary and authority vary: top coordinators can earn $3\u20135 million annually, and titles like &#8220;run game coordinator&#8221; or &#8220;passing game coordinator&#8221; may reflect delegated responsibilities.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/aside>\n<h2>Unconfirmed<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The exact annual salary Reich will receive has not been publicly disclosed; reported figures are described only as &#8220;hefty&#8221; and comparable to top coordinator pay.<\/li>\n<li>Whether Reich will be the primary in-game play-caller remains unconfirmed; sources say Glenn intends to call defensive plays, but offensive play-calling responsibilities were not finalized publicly.<\/li>\n<li>Reports of Aaron Glenn contacting Jon Gruden as part of the search come from sources; Gruden\u2019s level of discussion and the details are not independently verified here.<\/li>\n<li>Potential roster moves tied to Reich\u2019s hire \u2014 including trades for veteran quarterbacks such as Jacoby Brissett or the likelihood of drafting a QB at No. 2 \u2014 are speculative and dependent on front-office decisions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Bottom Line<\/h2>\n<p>Frank Reich\u2019s hiring gives the Jets a proven quarterback developer with a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 of both notable successes and recent setbacks. The reunion with Aaron Glenn provides organizational continuity and a clear division of labor: Reich to lead the offense, Glenn to prioritize and call the defense. That structure should accelerate the Jets\u2019 coaching cohesion, but it also raises immediate pressure for Reich to demonstrate he can translate past coordinator success into sustainable offensive production.<\/p>\n<p>What to watch next: whether Reich will call plays, how the Jets resolve the quarterback question with the No. 2 pick, and how the offensive roster is managed in free agency \u2014 particularly Breece Hall\u2019s status. Given Reich\u2019s mixed recent results, the 2026 season will be a decisive early test of whether the hire moves the franchise toward stability or prompts further changes.<\/p>\n<h2>Sources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7007779\/2026\/02\/04\/frank-reich-new-york-jets-oc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Athletic via The New York Times<\/a> \u2014 sports journalism report on the Jets coaching search and Reich hire.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pro-Football-Reference<\/a> \u2014 statistical resource for historical NFL team and coach metrics (used for contextual rankings).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After a multi-week search that concluded on Feb. 4, 2026, league sources say Aaron Glenn has won his top target: Frank Reich will be the New York Jets\u2019 next offensive coordinator. The move follows the team\u2019s parting with Tanner Engstrand last week and a series of interviews that included Greg Roman, Darrell Bevell, Lunda Wells &#8230; <a title=\"Jets to hire Frank Reich as new offensive coordinator, sources say\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/frank-reich-jets-oc\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Jets to hire Frank Reich as new offensive coordinator, sources say\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17865,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"Frank Reich named Jets offensive coordinator \u2014 Insight Sports","rank_math_description":"Aaron Glenn has hired Frank Reich as the New York Jets\u2019 offensive coordinator, reuniting two veterans. The move reshapes coaching roles amid quarterback uncertainty and draft decisions.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"Frank Reich, New York Jets, offensive coordinator, Aaron Glenn, quarterbacks","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17872","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17872","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17872"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17872\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17865"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17872"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17872"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17872"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}