Frank Michael Reich is a prominent figure in American football, having spent 14 seasons as a quarterback in the NFL before transitioning into coaching. He has served as head coach for both the Indianapolis Colts and the Carolina Panthers. His extensive experience as a player and coach has solidified his place within the league.
1953: Frank Reich Sr.'s Penn State Career Begins
In 1953, Frank Reich Sr. began playing football for Penn State as a center and linebacker.
1955: Frank Reich Sr.'s Penn State Career Ends
In 1955, Frank Reich Sr. concluded his football career at Penn State.
1956: Frank Reich Sr. Drafted by Eagles
In 1956, Frank Reich Sr. was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles.
December 4, 1961: Birth of Frank Reich
Frank Michael Reich was born on December 4, 1961.
1980: Big 33 Football Classic
Frank Reich played in the Big 33 Football Classic in 1980 after his senior year of high school.
1983: Bills Draft Jim Kelly
The Buffalo Bills drafted Jim Kelly in 1983.
November 10, 1984: The Maryland Comeback
On November 10, 1984, Frank Reich led Maryland to the biggest comeback in NCAA history at the time, overcoming a 31-0 deficit against Miami.
1985: NFL Draft
Frank Reich was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 1985 NFL Draft.
1985: Reich Drafted by Bills
The Buffalo Bills drafted Frank Reich in the third round of the 1985 NFL draft.
1986: Kelly Joins Bills
Jim Kelly joined the Buffalo Bills in 1986, leading to Frank Reich becoming his backup.
1989: First NFL Start
Frank Reich got his first NFL start in 1989 due to a Kelly injury, leading the Bills to two victories.
1990: Key Wins for the Bills
In 1990, Frank Reich led the Bills to two key wins after Kelly was injured, securing the AFC East title.
1992: Oilers Defeat Bills
The Houston Oilers defeated the Buffalo Bills in the final game of the 1992 regular season, leading to a Kelly injury.
1992: Frank Reich Sr. Retires from Coaching
In 1992, Frank Reich Sr. retired from his roles as a teacher and football coach at Lebanon High School.
1992: The Comeback
Frank Reich led the Buffalo Bills to the largest comeback in NFL history (at the time) during a playoff game in 1992.
January 3, 1993: The Comeback II
On January 3, 1993, Frank Reich led the Bills to a historic comeback victory against the Oilers in a Wild Card playoff game.
1993: Another Comeback
Frank Reich led the Bills to another comeback victory late in the 1993 NFL season.
March 1995: Joins Carolina Panthers
Frank Reich joined the Carolina Panthers in March 1995, throwing the first touchdown pass in franchise history.
1996: New York Jets
Frank Reich started seven games for the New York Jets in 1996.
1997: Detroit Lions
Frank Reich joined the Detroit Lions in 1997.
1998: Retirement
Frank Reich retired from playing professional football after the 1998 NFL season.
2001: Joe Reich Becomes Head Coach at Wingate
In 2001, Frank Reich's brother, Joe, became the head coach at Wingate University.
2003: President of RTS Charlotte
Frank Reich served as the president of Reformed Theological Seminary's Charlotte campus from 2003 to 2006.
2006: Coaching Intern
Frank Reich served as a coaching intern for the Indianapolis Colts from 2006 to 2007.
2006: End of Presidency at RTS Charlotte
In 2006, Frank Reich's term as president of Reformed Theological Seminary's Charlotte campus ended.
2007: Coaching Intern (Continued)
Frank Reich continued his coaching internship with the Indianapolis Colts in 2007.
2008: Coaching Career Begins
Frank Reich began his NFL coaching career in 2008 as an offensive coaching staff assistant for the Indianapolis Colts.
2008: Offensive Coaching Staff Assistant
Frank Reich worked as an offensive coaching staff assistant for the Colts in 2008.
2011: Wide Receivers Coach and Dismissal
Frank Reich became the Colts' wide receivers coach in 2011 but was dismissed along with the entire coaching staff after a 2-14 season.
December 31, 2012: Dismissal from Arizona Cardinals
On December 31, 2012, Frank Reich, along with head coach Ken Whisenhunt and other offensive coaches, was dismissed from the Arizona Cardinals.
2013: Hired by San Diego Chargers
In 2013, Frank Reich was hired by the San Diego Chargers along with Ken Whisenhunt. He was later promoted to offensive coordinator when Whisenhunt left for the Tennessee Titans.
2014: Greatest Backup Quarterback
Bill Polian called Frank Reich "the greatest backup quarterback in NFL history" in 2014.
2014: Colts' First Playoff Appearance Since 2014
In 2014, The Indianapolis Colts reached the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
January 4, 2016: Fired as Chargers Offensive Coordinator
On January 4, 2016, Frank Reich was fired from his position as offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers due to the team's struggles on offense, particularly their 31st ranking in rushing.
January 20, 2016: Hired as Eagles Offensive Coordinator
On January 20, 2016, Frank Reich was hired by the Philadelphia Eagles as their offensive coordinator.
2017: Super Bowl LII Victory
As offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, Frank Reich won Super Bowl LII in 2017.
2017: Super Bowl LII Victory
In 2017, as the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, Frank Reich won Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots.
February 11, 2018: Named Colts Head Coach
On February 11, 2018, Frank Reich was named the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.
2018: Head Coach of the Colts
Frank Reich became the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts in 2018.
2019: Quarterback Instability Begins
Following Andrew Luck's retirement before the 2019 season, Frank Reich's time with the Colts was marked by instability at the quarterback position, starting with Jacoby Brissett in 2019.
2020: Colts Reach Playoffs, Rivers Retires
In 2020, Frank Reich led the Colts to a playoff berth. However, Philip Rivers retired after the season, leading the Colts to search for a new starting quarterback.
2020: Philip Rivers Starts at Quarterback
In 2020, Philip Rivers started at quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts under Frank Reich.
2021: Wentz's Performance and Playoff Miss
In 2021, Carson Wentz played quarterback for the Colts under Frank Reich. Despite having a high probability of making the playoffs, the team faltered at the end of the season, missing the playoffs after a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
2021: Carson Wentz Starts at Quarterback
In 2021, Carson Wentz started at quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts under Frank Reich.
December 17, 2022: Vikings' Comeback
The Minnesota Vikings achieved a 33-point comeback against the Indianapolis Colts on December 17, 2022, surpassing Reich's record.
December 27, 2022: Record Broken
The Minnesota Vikings surpassed Reich's 1992 comeback record on December 27, 2022.
2022: Reich Fired from Colts
Following a 3-5-1 start to the 2022 season, Frank Reich was fired as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts on November 7, 2022.
2022: End of Colts Tenure
Frank Reich's time as head coach of the Colts ended in 2022.
2022: Matt Ryan and Sam Ehlinger Start at Quarterback
In 2022, Matt Ryan and Sam Ehlinger started at quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts under Frank Reich.
January 26, 2023: Hired as Panthers Head Coach
On January 26, 2023, Frank Reich was hired as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers.
November 14, 2023: Joe Reich Promoted to Athletic Director
On November 14, 2023, Frank Reich's brother, Joe Reich, was promoted to Head Athletic Director at Wingate University.
November 27, 2023: Fired as Panthers Head Coach
On November 27, 2023, after a 1-10 start, Frank Reich was fired as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers.
2023: Panthers Head Coach
Frank Reich served as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers in 2023.