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Anonymous ACC coach believes Frank Reich as Stanford's long-term answer is 'not impossible'

Danby:Daniel Hager•06/06/25•

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Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Frank Reich became the third former NFL head coach to join the ACC (Bill Belichick and Bill O’Brien) when he was hired earlier this year as Stanford‘s interim coach for the upcoming season. An anonymous ACC coach revealed in Athlon Sports’ 2025 College Football Preview however that he believes that Reich could possibly be a long-term answer for the Cardinal and GM Andrew Luck.

Luck, who played under Reich in Indianapolis in 2018, hired Reich on March 31 to replace former head coach Troy Taylor. Under Taylor, the Cardinal were just 6-18 (4-13) in his two seasons in charge.

“No one thinks [Frank] Reich is a long-term answer, but it’s not impossible,” the anonymous ACC coach said. “Reich is Andrew Luck’s guy, and this is Luck’s program now.”

Following his surprise retirement from the NFL prior to the 2019 season, Luck left the national spotlight for five years before taking over as Stanford‘s GM in Nov. 2024. Looking to get his former program back to being nationally relevant, he immediately made a change to bring in one of the NFL’s veteran head coaches.

Reich is Luck’s short-term answer

“I could not be more excited for our coaches, staff and players to have Frank as our head football coach for the 2025 season,” said Luck on the hire. “I have experienced first-hand the incredible impact Frank has demonstrated as a leader and have full confidence he is the perfect steward for this season of Stanford Football. Frank is a teacher, a winner and a coach of the highest caliber. Frank’s values align seamlessly with our vision for this program and I firmly believe in his ability to maximize the on-field potential of our student-athletes while serving as a role model in all aspects of their personal growth.”

Reich, who was a career offensive coach in the NFL, coached the Indianapolis Colts (2018-22) and the Carolina Panthers (2023) for six seasons. He led the Colts to a 40-33 record before he was fired and subsequently hired by the Panthers. His stint in Carolina ended even worse, as they opened the 2023 season with a 1-10 season before he was let go.

Now, Reich heads to college football for the first time.

“I am thrilled to be working with Andrew again to help take an important step in establishing his vision for the Stanford Football program,” Reich said. “Andrew is an elite leader and competitor, and those traits, along with his genuine passion for this university, resonated in every way and inspired me to accept this role. The unique responsibility to mentor the best student-athletes in the world, to be the absolute best in what they aspire to do, is an opportunity I will fully embrace.”

Stanford opens its 2025 schedule on the road at Hawaii on August 23.

Stanford 2025 schedule