Frank Reich Hired As Next New York Jets’ Offensive Coordinator
In a move that feels equal parts nostalgic and desperate, the Jets are hiring Frank Reich as their new offensive coordinator. This isn’t just a standard staffing update; it’s a reunion three decades in the making. Reich is linking back up with Head Coach Aaron Glenn, a man he shared a locker room with way back in 1996.
Yes, that 1996 season. The one where the Jets went 1-15. But let’s not dwell on ancient history just yet. Let’s talk about why Reich is exactly the kind of “adult in the room” this franchise desperately needs right now.
A Familiar Face In a Stormy Season
The timeline here is classic Jets chaos. Late in January, the team abruptly parted ways with Offensive Coordinator Tanner Engstrand. It was a late move, the kind that usually signals internal panic. But Glenn didn’t waste time. He looked at his contacts list and found Reich, a man who has seen the NFL from every conceivable angle.
“Frank has a rare combination of experience, creativity, and calm under pressure,” Glenn said in a statement on Wednesday.
Reich, 64, isn’t coming in as a hotshot young genius trying to reinvent the wheel. He’s coming in as a battle-tested veteran who has won a Super Bowl ring calling plays and navigated the choppy waters of head coaching in Indianapolis and Carolina.
He even spent last year in the college ranks, serving as the interim head coach for Stanford—a gig he landed thanks to his old pal Andrew Luck. He led the Cardinal to a respectable finish, beating Cal and Florida State, proving he hasn’t lost his touch.
The 1996 Connection: Reich and Glenn
Sports have a funny way of closing circles. In 1996, Reich was a journeyman quarterback starting seven games for a Jets team that was spiraling. On the defensive side of the ball was a young, talented cornerback named Aaron Glenn.
That season was a disaster by nearly every metric, but it forged a bond. Now, 30 years later, Glenn is the one calling the shots, and he’s bringing Reich back to help save his tenure. It’s a nice narrative, sure, but sentimentality won’t fix a broken offense. And make no mistake, this offense is broken.
The Daunting Task Ahead For Reich
Reich has his work cut out for him. The 2025 Jets offense was, to put it politely, unwatchable. They ranked 29th in the league in points and total yards. The passing attack was dead last.
The quarterback room was a revolving door of mediocrity, featuring starts from Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, and Brady Cook. None of them looked like the answer. Reich made his name as a “quarterback whisperer,” particularly during that magical Philly run with Nick Foles and Carson Wentz. He’s going to need every ounce of that whispering ability to get something productive out of New York’s current roster.
The Jets interviewed a laundry list of candidates, including Greg Roman and Darrell Bevell, but they kept circling back to Reich. Why? Because when your ship is taking on water, you don’t hire someone who’s never seen a leak before. You hire the guy who knows how to bail.
Why This Hire Makes Sense (and Why It’s risky)
There is a human element to this hire that feels significant. Reich has taken his lumps recently. His stint in Carolina was a nightmare, ending after just 11 games. He took a year “off” to help Stanford stabilize. He’s hungry for redemption.
Glenn, entering his second year, is already on the hot seat after a 3-win debut. He needs someone he trusts implicitly. He needs a partner, not just a subordinate. Reich fits that bill perfectly. He brings credibility to the offensive meeting room that was sorely lacking last year.
However, the risk is obvious. Reich’s offensive philosophy is rooted in a different era. Can he adapt to the modern game quickly enough to save Glenn’s job? Can he construct a scheme that works without a superstar quarterback, or will he be hamstrung by the roster just like he was in Carolina?
The Bottom Line
For now, Jets fans can take a deep breath. They didn’t hire a complete unknown. They hired a guy with a Super Bowl ring on his finger and a history of getting the best out of backup quarterbacks.
Reich is back in green and white. It might not be the flashy hire that wins the offseason headlines, but for a team drowning in dysfunction, a steady hand on the wheel might be exactly what the doctor ordered. Let’s just hope the results are better than they were in ’96.
