Colts hire Reich to be their new head coach
INDIANAPOLIS» The Indianapolis Colts’ second choice for head coach could turn out to be even better than the first.
Frank Reich has the Super Bowl championship gear to prove it.
Five days after New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels reneged on a deal to take the Colts’ head coaching job, the Colts hired Reich, the offensive coordinator who outwitted McDaniels last week and helped lead the Philadelphia Eagles to their first NFL title since 1960.
“Frank is a leader of men who will demand excellence from our players on and off the field,” Colts general manager Chris Ballard said in a news release issued Sunday. “I look forward to working with Frank to deliver a championship-caliber team to the city of Indianapolis.”
Reich is expected to be introduced at a news conference Tuesday in Indianapolis. The Colts posted a photo of Reich signing his contract on their website.
The hiring of Reich ended a search that spanned 41 days, included two coaching announcements and the embarrassment of McDaniels changing his mind last Tuesday just eight hours after telling the Colts that he would take the job. One day later, Ballard answered reporters’ questions for nearly 20 minutes before finishing with “the rivalry is back on.”
Exactly one week after backup quarterback Nick Foles executed an exquisite game plan to help the Eagles cap a 16-3 season by beating Tom Brady and the favored Patriots in Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis, the Colts brought back a longtime assistant who spent two seasons working with Peyton Manning.
But this wasn’t just about sending a message.
“Frank has all the ingredients of a successful head coach: intelligence, innovation, character, organizational and leadership skills, and a commanding presence,” Colts owner Jim Irsay said. “He also has a stellar reputation, and his myriad life experiences and the people he has worked with make him the perfect fit for us and our fans. I feel fortunate and could not be more excited for Colts Nation and the future of our franchise.”