INDIANAPOLIS -- Will Frank Reich go from celebrating a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles to returning to coach the Indianapolis Colts?
That could be the case.
Reich, the Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator, will be the second candidate to interview with the Colts in the second round of interviews to replace Chuck Pagano. New Orleans assistant head coach and tight ends coach Dan Campbell interviewed Thursday. The Colts added to their search when they received permission to interview Buffalo defensive coordinator Leslie Frazer. That interview will be held on Saturday.
Reich has spent the past two seasons in Philadelphia helping the Eagles' offense, which has been led by quarterbacks Carson Wentz and then Nick Foles, improve from 22nd to seventh in the NFL this season. And it didn't go unnoticed that the Eagles scored 41 points to beat New England in the Super Bowl. Reich doesn't call plays in Philadelphia. That job belongs to head coach Doug Pederson.
ESPN NFL analyst Louis Riddick is a believer in Reich.
Frank Reich will be a star as a HC, and not just because he has had a great deal to do with the QB play in Philly. He is ready. Indy would be very wise to hire him if it "fits".
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) February 9, 2018
As a player, Reich was known for his ability to mount massive comebacks -- first at the University of Maryland and as primarily a backup quarterback with Buffalo Bills. He was also offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach with the San Diego Chargers and receivers coach in Arizona. But it was with the Colts that Reich got his coaching start.
He began his coaching career as an offensive staff assistant with former Colts coach Jim Caldwell in 2008 after having retired from playing 10 years earlier. Then Reich was Peyton Manning’s quarterback coach in 2009-10 before coaching Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne and the rest of the receivers in 2011.
One thing that could favor Reich is that Colts general manager Chris Ballard holds defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus in high regard and his ability to lead the unit, giving Reich one less thing to worry about. He could then focus on the offense and potentially calling the plays.
“I got to know Matt Eberflus a few years ago and was blown away by Matt,” Ballard said. “Matt was a coveted coach. He’s a very talented defensive coordinator. I feel very lucky to have Matt Eberflus in the building running a scheme that I think fits our team that we can scout for and that fits our building. We’re playing on an indoor surface. We’re going to be playing in ideal weather 8-12 games a year that’s going to be based on athletic ability and speed. That’s how this defense is built.”