Reich is the choice to lead Colts’ future
The Indianapolis Colts’ second choice for head coach could turn out to be even better than the first.
And 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 job, general manager Chris Ballard hired Reich, the man who outwitted McDaniels 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,” Ballard said. “I look forward to working with Frank to deliver a championship-caliber team to the city of Indianapolis.”
Terms of the deal were not immediately available, but Reich is expected to be introduced at a news conference Tuesday.
The move ends a search that spanned 41 days, included two coaching announcements and the embarrassment of McDaniels changing his mind Tuesday night just eight hours after telling the Colts he’d take the job.
On Wednesday, Ballard answered questions about McDaniels for nearly 20 minutes before saying “the rivalry is back on.”
Reich graduated from the Maryland where he was a backup to Boomer Esiason. He won the starting quarterback job as a senior and spent 14 seasons in the NFL playing for Buffalo, Carolina, the New York Jets and Detroit.
“Frank has all the ingredients of a successful head coach: intelligence, innovation, character, organizational and leadership skills, and a commanding presence,” team owner Jim Irsay said.
“He also has a stellar reputation, and his myriad of life experiences and the people he has worked with make him the perfect fit for us and our fans. I could not be more excited for Colts Nation and the future of our franchise.”