Coaching Profile: Frank Reich

[Waldo]

I still can't believe the hype that man got here. It never made sense to me. He was so not good in Indy and he looks worse in Carolina. The desperation post-Rhule drove people blind.

[stratocatter]

On 1/26/2023 at 2:33 AM, Mr. Scot said:

I was about halfway done with several coaching profiles, and thinking I had more time, when the news came of the Panthers second round of interviews commencing.

Oy

In light of this, I decided to prioritize my time and finish the work I had started for a look at Frank Reich.  My rationale is that Panther fans probably don't need as much info on Steve Wilks given that he's been coaching the team for a while now and was known from before anyway. Likewise, while it seemed like profiling Kellen Moore might turn out necessary, latest news has proven it to not be so. And granted, this too might ultimately turn out to be a wasted effort if the Panthers name Wilks (or someone else we haven't heard of yet) as their new head coach.

Still, the work's been done so I may as well post it. I will warn you up front, it's the most extensive profile I've done in my time as a Panther fan, but this feels like (at least hopefully) the most important hire we've made to date.

So if you've got a little time, strap in because here we go...

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

FRANK REICH

 

PERSONAL DETAILS

• Born 1/4/61 in Freeport, NY (Age 62)
• Grew up in Lebanon, PA
• Graduated from Cedar Crest High School in Lebanon
• Went to the University of Maryland in College Park, MD
• Played quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins from 1981 to 1984
• Was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1985 (3rd Round, #57 overall)

 

COACHING HISTORY

• Head Coach, Indianapolis Colts (2018-2022)
• Offensive Coordinator, Philadelphia Eagles (2016-2017)
• Offensive Coordinator, San Diego Chargers (2014-2015)
• Quarterback Coach, San Diego Chargers (2013)
• Wide Receivers Coach, Arizona Cardinals (2012)
• Wide Receivers Coach, Indianapolis Colts (2011)
• Quarterback Coach, Indianapolis Colts (2009-2010)
• Offensive Assistant, Indianapolis Colts (2008)
• Coaching Intern, Indianapolis Colts (2006-2007)

Overall Experience: 17 years
NFL Experience: 17 years

 

COACHING STYLE

Offensive Coach, Erhardt-Perkins System

 

COACHING INFLUENCES

• Marv Levy (Head Coach, Buffalo Bills)
• Tony Dungy (Head Coach, Indianapolis Colts)
• Doug Pederson (Head Coach, Philadelphia Eagles)
• Ken Whisenhunt (Head Coach, San Diego Chargers)
• Jim Caldwell (Head Coach, Indianapolis Colts)
• Ted Marchibroda (QB Coach/Offensive Coordinator, Buffalo Bills)
• Ron Erhardt (Offensive Coordinator, New York Jets)
• Tom Moore (Offensive Coordinator, Indianapolis Colts)
• Bobby Ross (Head Coach, Maryland Terrapins)
• Ralph Friedgen (Offensive Coordinator, Maryland Terrapins)

 

HISTORY AND NOTES

• One of the team’s earliest free agent signings
• First starting quarterback in team history
• Threw the team’s first ever touchdown pass to Pete Metzelaars against the Atlanta Falcons
• Was teammates with Panthers icon Sam Mills and likely understands his legacy
• Original Panthers QB Coach John Shoop later coached Lions OC Ben Johnson at UNC
• Bills teammates included James Lofton, who later worked for the Panthers as a media personality
• Famous non-Panther acquaintances include Peyton Manning, college teammate Boomer Esaiason, commentator Dan Orlovsky and NFL/WWE star Pat McAfee
• Lived and worked in the Charlotte area for several years while out of football. still has family here
• That family of course includes daughter Hannah who now works in the Panthers marketing department (grab your tinfoil hat…on second thought, don’t)

 

PANTHER CONNECTIONS

And here's where it starts to get...extensive

Reich has worked with a lot of former Carolina coaches (along with a few teammates and former players) on some of his prior jobs. Included on that list…

Rod Perry: Went from being the Panthers Secondary Coach from 2002 through 2006 (under John Fox) to being the Colts Secondary Coach starting in 2007, one year after Reich joined the team as an intern

Ken Flajole: Panthers linebacker coach from 2003 to 2008 (also under Fox) who was on the Eagles staff for the 2016 and 17 seasons Reich spent as Philly's OC

Richard Smith: The current Colts Linebackers Coach held the same role in Carolina during the 2009 and 2010 seasons, again under John Fox

Ron Milus: The Colts current Secondary Coach was also on John Fox’s Panthers staff the same time as Smith

Brian Baker: Reich’s DL Coach for the 2020 and 21 seasons had been the Panthers DL Coach in…2009 and 2010…under John Fox

Ron Meeks: Worked with Reich from 2006 to 2008 in Indianapolis before joining the Panthers for three seasons under (you guessed it) john Fox, two years as his DC and one as the DB Coach

John Fox: No, it wasn’t just part of John Fox’s staff that worked with Reich during his final season in Indy, Fox himself did too. Along with Smith and Milus, Foxy served as a Senior Defensive Assistant for Reich’s final season

Mike McCoy: This one's complicated. McCoy was a longtime fixture on the Panthers staff, working in different roles from 2000 through 2008, serving under George Seifert first and later John Fox. After being named Head Coach of the then San Diego Chargers, he worked with Reich from 2013 (when Reich was QB Coach) through the 2014 and 15 seasons (with Reich as OC) but fired he and several other coaches (including current Panthers pass rush coach Don Johnson) at the end of a disappointing 4-12 season. McCoy himself was fired the following year after the team went 5-11

Fred Graves: One of San Diego’s other coaches under McCoy was the former Panthers receiver coach who was famously known for having his pass catchers condition their hands by catching bricks. Besides being the Panthers receiver coach from 2011 to 2012 under Ron Rivera, Graves had also coached Panthers legend Steve Smith while serving as the receiver coach at the University of Utah

Bruce DeHaven: The Panthers Special Teams Coach from 2013 to 2016 (when he tragically died of prostate cancer) was also the Buffalo Bills Special Teams Coach while Reich was a player from 1987 to 1994.

Russ Purnell: DeHaven’s Assistant Special Teams Coach for the 2015 and 16 seasons after having coached Special Teams for the Colts during Reich’s first three years there

Mike Phair: Had been the Colts DL Coach under Reich for the previous two seasons before leaving to take the same position with the Panthers in 2010 under Matt Rhule. Rhule promptly fired him after one season (same as he did his replacement the following year)

Mike Mitchell: Yep, that Mike Mitchell. The former Panthers safety from 2013 finished his playing career in 2018 with Reich’s Colts. He later joined Reich’s staff in 2022 as an Assistant DB Coach

Scottie Montgomery: Montgomery never actually played for the Panthers, but he was in camp for the 2000 season/ He later joined Reich’s staff as Runningbacks Coach in 2021. One year and several Jonathan Taylor yards later, he interviewed for the Panthers vacant OC position under Matt Rhule, eventually losing out to Ben McAdoo

Gus Bradley: Reich’s Colts DC in 2022 never worked for the Panthers, but was DC in Seattle when Scott Fitterer and Dan Morgan were working in the front office

Chris Shula: The current Rams DB Coach, son of former Bengals Coach Dave Shula and grandson of big daddy Don was on the 2015 Chargers staff with Reich under Mike McCoy. His uncle Mike is someone Panther fans are…familiar with (but wish they weren’t)

Ron Turner: Another family name Panther fans know is Turner. Ron’s brother Norv, son Cam, nephew Scott and Ron himself have all been on staff with the Panthers at some point. Ron was also in Indy as Wide Receiver coach in 2010 when Reich was the Quarterback Coach. Turner and Reich swapped roles for the 2011 season before both took jobs elsewhere the following year

1995 Roster and Staff: And finally, pretty much anybody that was here for year one is obviously acquainted with Reich. That includes a few names you might or might not remember, such as Jags Head Coach Doug Pederson who was in camp but didn’t make the final cut. Also former Bills teammates Pete Metzelaars, Don Beebe, Carlton Bailey, and Vince Marrow (camp only). And of course, it was former Bills and original Panthers GM Bill Polian who brought Reich aboard in the first place. There’s also some interesting names from that 95 coaching staff of course, but we’ll get to them shortly

Other Teammates and Associates: In 1994, the Bills drafted a young player named Bucky Brooks; Brooks would later work as a scout for the Panthers from 2003 to 2007 before becoming a well-respected sports writer. As a New York Jet, Reich was Keyshawn Johnson’s teammate for the 1996 season, ten years before Johnson signed with the Panthers. Former Panther Mario Addison was also with the Colts during Reich’s time there before coming to Carolina. Original Panthers teammate and fellow quarterback Kerry Collins finished his playing career with the Colts around that same time (2011). Among other famous teammates not associated with the Panthers (besides a slew of legendary Bills players) Reich was on the same Lions squad as Barry Sanders for a few of his final seasons. One other noteworthy name associated with the Lions at that time was the pro Scouting Director who helped scout Reich as a free agent in 1997, a fellow by the name of Kevin Colbert

 

POTENTIAL STAFF

Getting into who Reich might be able to bring with him, obviously a lot of the names previously mentioned would be options depending on their employment status. Defensive Coordinator Gus Bradley, LB Coach Richard Smith, DB Coach Ron Milus, Assistant DB Coach Mike Mitchell, RB Coach Scottie Montgomery, ST Coach Ray Ventrone and others might follow Reich to Carolina if the next Colts Head Coach decides not to retain them. Bradley is certainly a guy I could get on board with if we didn’t bring someone like///well, we'll get to that

Like Foxy, other potential old friends who could potentially return (though I don’t know that they’d be likely to) include…

• DL Coach Brian Baker (currently DL Coach for the Charlotte 49ers)
• DL Coach Mike Phair (right now the DL Coach for the CFL’s Ottawa Redblacks)
• DB Coach Rod Perry (Secondary Coach for the Oregon State Beavers, age 69)
• QB Coach Mike McCoy (yeah, right)
• Defensive Assistant John Fox (kinda doubt it)

Other names are retired, older or haven’t worked in a while.

Among the current Panthers staff, the only member I’ve seen who has a direct connection to Reich is Pass Rush/DL Coach Don Johnson who, along with Reich was part of Mike McCoy’s staff from 2013 to 2015. He was fired along with Reich and Fred Graves at the end of the 2015 season. Fan favorite coaches James Campen and Chris Tabor don’t seem to have crossed paths with Reich before, though it’s at least possible they know some of the same people (besides Johnson).

Aside from those, the names that will likely garner the most interest are the ones that follow, starting with…

Vic Fangio: I don’t have to tell you who Fangio is, and I don’t have to convince you that he’d be a good DC. Panther fans would be universally jubilant to see their original DC return to help their original QB. It’d be a great story, but more to the point it’d be a great combo. But the big question is “would he want the job?”

And the answer is “it’d sure be great if he did”.

Fangio is currently a consultant for the Eagles defense. It’s possible he might want to follow Shane Steichen or (apparently more likely) Jonathan Gannon to their next destination if they get hired. There was also speculation he might join Sean Payton if he got another gig, though it looks like that’s not happening now unless Fangio really wants to be a studio analyst for Fox Sports.

So basically, this is the big enigma. How will it be solved? When will it be solved? Tune in next week, or next…whatever because nobody knows.

Greg Roman: On the offensive side you’ve got another original Panther guy (Offensive Assistant in 1995) and a guy whose employment status is a little less complicated. After being let go by the Ravens, Roman is looking for work. He’s been pretty heavily praised in some circles while also being a target of many detractors in others.

Basically, like every nearly other offensive coordinator out there

Likely the most important thing to consider here though is the pairing. What kind of offense would Reich want Roman to run, and how would he balance it with his own ideas? Given that Reich himself is an experienced play caller, I’d say concerns about Roman might not be such a big deal. But again, we’d have to wait and see how things went.

Kevin Patullo: Lord knows everyone loves the current Eagles offense, and stealing a piece of that sure sounds appealing. So here we come to a name that Panthers fans might find potentially more palatable than Roman. Also one that, to be honest, has a longer connection to Frank Reich. Reich and Roman are acquainted, but only worked together for a year nearly thirty years ago. Patullo worked with Reich as his passing game coordinator in Indy before taking a job with the Eagles.  He’s been mentioned online as a potential option, so this one could be a real possibility.

Duce Staley: Speaking of offenses people would like to steal from, the Lions. Word was the Panthers wanted to steal the guy who ran that offense for their head coaching spot, but Ben Johnson backed out. If you can’t steal Johnson though, maybe you can get one of his assistants. Perhaps even one who also happens to have worked with Frank Reich before in former Eagles player and coach Duce Staley.  Sure, why not? The tricky part here though is that Staley currently has an “Assistant Head Coach” title in Detroit. Would that complicate things? Don’t know, but it’s possible.

Matt Nagy: Another name that’s been mentioned online, though this time one who hasn’t had a direct working relationship with Reich. Nagy gained enough rep as an OC with the Chiefs to get the Bears head coaching job, one which he then spectacularly bombed. Anytime you have a disciple of a known great coach like Andy Reid, there’s always the question of who does what and how much credit is owed to whom. Nagy’s certainly spent enough time with a coaching genius like Reid that you’d have to figure he’s learned some good stuff. but are you confident enough in that to give him another shot?

John DeFilippo: Going back a little further in recent Eagles history, you have former QB Coach John DeFilippo, another guy who, like Nagy (in fact, actually with Nagy) moved on up in the world only to get smacked back down to earth...all the way out of the NFL in fact. DeFilippo is currently head coach of the USFL’s New Orleans Breakers (hard not to say “Orlando Breakers’ if you were a 'Coach' fan). Would he take a demotion? Is he even worth calling? Back during his NFL days, there was some chatter that DeFilippo was kind of an arrogant prick. Most don’t care as long as he’s good at what he does. But given his present status, is he?

Roy Istvan: This one will probably cause some debate. Istvan is a guy who’s getting a lot of attention for his work with the Eagles O-Line under well known OL savant Jeff Stoutland (our buddy John Ellis is a big fan)/ But as with Nagy and Reid, how much is Istvan and how much is Stoutland? Istvan’s resume' prior to 2019 is all college jobs, and pretty much all minor colleges rather than big conference powerhouses. Beyond that, you have the shadow of James Campen, a guy Panther fans love and want to keep. Will Reich feel the same though? And if he doesn'y, will he call the Eagles? Unknown, but I would point out that Reich has no more connection to Istvan than he does Campen. They’ve never worked together, so as with Campen any communication would all be through common acquaintances.

Those are the most meaty names being mentioned, but here are a few others you might call “honorable mentions”...

Scott/Cam Turner: Going back to the Turner family (via Norv’s brother Ron) Scott and Cam have both worked for the Panthers before. Both moved on, and are both now likely looking for work (Scott is currently unemployed, and Cam was part of Kliff Kingsbury’s staff in Arizona). Would you want either as them as your next OC? Maybe not, but both have at least decent work records as position coaches (QB and WR) and could be worth a look.

Ken Whisenhunt: Worked with Reich in Arizona and San Diego, but ultimately flamed out as an NFL coach and moved down to the college ranks. Got a job as an offensive analyst with Penn State after taking a year off in 2020. Not sure he’d want to come back to the NFL, or if he should, but he and Reich are acquainted and he’s considered to have a good offensive mind.
.
John Pagano: A well known name in NFL circles, and a former colleague of ex-Panthers head coach Ron Rivera. Pagano’s got a long, impressive resume' as a defensive coach. Most recently, he was the outside linebacker coach in Denver, but he’ll likely be looking for work again soon unless their new coach wants to keep him. He and Reich worked together in San Diego under McCoy.

Chris Shula: Yes, I know. Bad enough I mentioned the name Turner, but Shula? That name makes Panther fans queasy. It’s worth noting though that unlike Uncle Mike, Chris coaches on the defensive side of the ball. Now I know someone will say that working to stop teams from scoring is what Mike does too, but at least with Chris, that’s his job. And yeah, Reich is acquainted with Chris from his time as an assistant with the Chargers.

Jeff Burris: This is a more “out there’ sort of thought, but not totally insane. Burris is a DB coach for the Ragin’ Cajuns of Louisiana, a former Reich teammate (Buffalo) and a Rock Hill SC native. Wouldn’t bet on this one happening, but it’s at least semi-worth mentioning.

Freddie Kitchens: Was on staff with Reich in Arizona for the 2012 season; stuck around though Reich didn’t. Wouldn’t look at him as an OC but he’s a pretty good Tight Ends Coach and is currently working in a consultant type role with the University of South Carolina

Jim Bob Cooter: Yep, he worked with Reich too (I mean, who hasn’t?) Specifically, as an offensive assistant with the Colts from 2009 to 2011. He’s the passing game coordinator for the Jags at the moment under former Reich teammate Doug Pederson. And heck, some fans want him on our staff for his name alone. Also just for the record, our former ST Coach Heath Farwell is on Pederson’s Jacksonville staff as well, along with our old buddy Brentson Buckner.

I’m gonna finish this up by mentioning Jim Caldwell because he’s a longtime acquaintance and former colleague of Reich, but since Caldwell has stated he’s only interested in head coaching jobs right now he’s not expected to be an option (unless he changes his mind).

There are likely names I’ve missed, but hey

 

ANALYSIS

I mean, at this point, what else is there to say?

Reich is obviously well known in the Carolinas and the NFL in general. Most were flabbergasted that Colts owner (and ultimate anti-teetotaler) Jim Irsay fired him; even more so when they saw his replacement, but that’s not what matters. The most relevant thing is that more often than not, Reich was a winning coach at his prior jobs. That’s why teams are interviewing him now, and why we’re one of those teams.

Iif he’s the new Panthers head coach, there are likely to be a million stories written about it. The hope is that those stories involve success, including the narrative that the team’s first quarterback, the guy who threw its first touchdown, later on down the road became the one to lead them to their first Super Bowl trophy.

I’d write that story myself, but after writing this profile I’m too tired so someone else can do it

I will write this one, though…

On a cold day in 1992, I sat down to watch the NFL playoffs. The game was between the Houston Oilers and the Buffalo Bills, but the Bills were gonna have to try and win it without their starting quarterback because Jim Kelly had injured his knee. Come mid-third quarter, the score had risen to 35-3 Oilers. It was clear the game was over. Announcers noted that backup QB Frank Reich had once led a comeback from down 31-0 in college, but this was the NFL. Nobody was coming back from a deficit like that.

Or were they?

When the Bills came back and won, I remember thinking to myself “Boy, I wonder what that quarterback could do as a starter.” Then a few years later, I was watching Sportscenter, hoping for information about the expansion Carolina Panthers whom I had adopted as my new team.  My fan patience was rewarded when the news came on that the soon to debut new team had signed a free agent quarterback…

Frank Reich.

I was excited

Reich’s story as the Panthers first starting QB may not have had a fairy tale ending, but it was still a good one. The Panthers overperformed for an expansion team and it looked like the future was bright.

Till it wasn’t...

But maybe, just maybe, it can be again.

Here's hoping...

 

QUOTES

“Reich’s ability to take complex offensive principles and teach them in a relatable manner to his players was a key to the Colts’ offensive success last season. Players told tales of how they learned more about football than at any time in their careers under their new coach.”

- Colts writer Stephen Holder in The Athletic

"Frank texted me to say, ‘Kirk, for 30 years, that moment has given me an opportunity to share many things about football and life, tell people about my faith, and now the torch has been passed to you.' So it was a powerful text. I already had a great deal of respect for Frank but after that text it went through the roof. I took what he said seriously.”

- Kirk Cousins, on a text he received from Reich after topping his historic comeback performance in this year’s playoffs

"When you finish the season the way we did, it eats at you forever. It will never go away. I've just seen this time and time again, not only in my own career, but you just look around in sports history, this happens. It happens where you go through an epic collapse or failure, and then that actually turns out to be the very thing that sparks you to go to that next level. That's what we're believing and thinking is gonna happen in Indianapolis."

– Reich. after a season ending loss in 2021

 

LINKS

Frank Reich at Pro Football Reference (Pro-Football Reference.com)

Best and Worst moments of Frank Reich’s Colts Tenure (Indy Star)

Preordained: How the talents that made Frank Reich a successful coach also make him a good minister (The Athletic)

 

VIDEO

Reich interviews with The 33rd Team’s Vic Carucci

Frank Reich, the man behind The Comeback Beard

NFL Films #2 Comeback of All Time

Frank Reich victory speech: Week 11, 2021

You did the right thing, taking a break. 

[Bear Hands]

On 1/27/2023 at 1:27 PM, Bear Hands said:

Yup. Both interviews give reason to be optimistic about the staff.  A HC becomes great with the guys around him.  Reich seems to have learned a lot on building out his crew.  Hopefully the mix of guys he's alluding to is followed through.  

My biggest takeaways with this first day-ish:

-Lively offense.  QB centric w/intelligence & playmaking being top traits

-Balanced coaching staff -- wants the experienced, up and comers, the yellers, & the reserved.  They all have their place.  Can't have too many of any particular type, it's about both being quality and complimentary.   

-He really likes our defensive core and wants to keep building it.  I think we're trying to get one of these top guys pretty swiftly.  Gonna guess Manuel.  

There's no "program" to buy into or whatnot.  He sounds like he's very sound, matter of fact and wants to build in a smart, balanced, methodical way. Complimentary pieces, all about cohesion and intelligence. 

Well damn, sometimes you can look really silly in retrospect.  This is one of those times! Owning it.  

[CamWhoaaCam]

Never thought we could hire a HC worse than Rhule yet Tepper did it again!

 

 

[rayzor]

On 1/26/2023 at 8:28 AM, rayzor said:

thanks for this write up.

i'll just say that if we hire reich, i won't be disappointed. 

ok...so far i am.

[stratocatter]

39 minutes ago, CamWhoaaCam said:

Never thought we could hire a HC worse than Rhule yet Tepper did it again!

 

 

There is a common thread here. It influences stuff like sugar influences coffee. Well, probably more like salt and coffee in our case. 

[CamWhoaaCam]

55 minutes ago, stratocatter said:

There is a common thread here. It influences stuff like sugar influences coffee. Well, probably more like salt and coffee in our case. 

You're not drinking coffee if you adding anything to it. A real coffee drinker drinks it black piping hot!

[stratocatter]

I am down to a half teaspoon of sugar per pot. You don’t want salt in it though. 

[TheBigKat]

On 1/26/2023 at 8:28 AM, rayzor said:

thanks for this write up.

i'll just say that if we hire reich, i won't be disappointed. 

Do you care to revise your statement

[rayzor]

5 minutes ago, TheBigKat said:

Do you care to revise your statement

i did

2 hours ago, rayzor said:

ok...so far i am.

yes, disappointed.

[rayzor]

2 hours ago, CamWhoaaCam said:

You're not drinking coffee if you adding anything to it. A real coffee drinker drinks it black piping hot!

 

[TheSpecialJuan]

On 1/26/2023 at 3:03 AM, bythenbrs said:

Reich may not be a young OC wunderkind but, he is a very experienced offensive minded coach that can call his own offensive plays.  He is high character, and his players respect him.  He can build an excellent staff from his many connections.  His team made the playoffs three of the four years he was HC, and with a revolving door at QB so, he can adjust to the players he is given.

I was admittedly looking for Johnson or Steichen and had, frankly, overlooked Reich.  That was my mistake.  Hire the man.

Damn hypocrites all of you 

[bythenbrs]

3 hours ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

Damn hypocrites all of you 

???

[AceMan]