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.
First Jets Go-Round
He returned to Hempstead and served his first tenure as a Jets quarterback in 1996. He trained at Hofstra after signing with the Green & White in March 1996 and was the backup to Neil O'Donnell. He played just that one season, starting seven games, throwing 15 TD passes to 16 INTs and posting a 1-6 record. But the one win was significant since it marked the lone success of that 1-15 season, 31-21 over the Cardinals at Sun Devil Stadium.
Classic Comeback I
Reich has been called "the greatest backup QB in NFL history" by some, and he demonstrated his worthiness of that title for the times he stepped up from his No. 2 role to pilot some historic come-from-behind wins, one in college and one in the pros.
For Maryland in 1984, he took over for starter Stan Gelbaugh at the Orange Bowl, inheriting a 31-0 halftime deficit against Miami. He engineered a 42-point second half to secure the Terrapins' 42-40 comeback win over the Hurricanes, at the time the biggest comeback in NCAA history.
Classic Comeback II
Eight years later, Buffalo QB Jim Kelly was injured late in the '92 season and Reich stepped in for the AFC Wild Card Game vs. Houston at then Rich Stadium. The Bills fell behind, 35-3, before Reich worked his comeback magic beginning early in the third quarter. The Bills prevailed over the Oilers in OT, 41-38, with the 32-point comeback remaining the largest in NFL postseason history until the 2022 playoffs.
A Man of the Cloth
Reich has a deeply spiritual bent that is well-known. His religious résumé, courtesy of Wikipedia, includes:
â– Attending the Charlotte, NC, campus of the Reformed Theological Seminary and earning a Master of Divinity degree.
â– Serving as president of the RTS Charlotte campus from 2003-06.
â– Also serving as a pastor at Ballantyne Presbyterian Church until he moved to Indianapolis.
