Jets Hire Frank Reich as Offensive Coordinator

Veteran coach tasked with reviving New York's struggling offense

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:57am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented football field with players and equipment broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes in the colors of the New York Jets.Reich's arrival signals the Jets' commitment to reviving their struggling offense through innovative coaching and strategic vision.San Diego Today

The New York Jets have hired former Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich as their new offensive coordinator, reuniting him with head coach Aaron Glenn after the two were teammates on the 1996 Jets. Reich, known for his quarterback development skills, will be tasked with turning around a Jets offense that has lacked consistency in recent years.

Why it matters

This high-profile hire signals the Jets' commitment to improving their offense and building around a new starting quarterback, whether through the draft or a potential trade. Reich's track record of success, particularly with Philip Rivers and Carson Wentz, has fans hopeful he can do the same for the Jets' next signal-caller.

The details

After parting ways with last season's offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, the Jets interviewed several candidates before settling on the 64-year-old Reich. He was most recently an interim head coach at Stanford but was contemplating retirement before Glenn convinced him to join the Jets as the 'head coach of the offense.' The Jets offered Reich a substantial salary, comparable to the NFL's highest-paid coordinators.

  • The Jets hired Reich in early April 2026, shortly after the team parted ways with Engstrand.
  • Reich was the Jets' starting quarterback in 1996, when Glenn was a cornerback on the team.

The players

Frank Reich

A veteran NFL coach who has served as a head coach for the Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers, as well as an interim head coach at Stanford. He is known for his quarterback development skills and was the offensive coordinator for the Super Bowl-winning 2017 Philadelphia Eagles.

Aaron Glenn

The current head coach of the New York Jets, who played cornerback for the team in 1996 when Reich was the starting quarterback.

Tanner Engstrand

The Jets' former offensive coordinator, who the team parted ways with before hiring Reich.

Garrett Wilson

The Jets' star wide receiver who is expected to return from an injury-plagued season.

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What they’re saying

“Frank Reich is a veteran coach with a proven track record of developing quarterbacks and leading successful offenses. We're thrilled to have him join our staff and help us take the next step as a team.”

— Aaron Glenn, Head Coach, New York Jets

What’s next

The Jets will need to address their quarterback situation, either through the draft or a potential trade, as they look to build around Reich's offensive expertise. The team also faces uncertainty at the running back and tight end positions.

The takeaway

This hire represents a significant investment by the Jets in their offense and a belief that Reich can be the catalyst to turn the unit around. If successful, it could mark a turning point for the franchise, but Reich's recent struggles raise questions about whether he can recapture the magic that made him one of the league's top offensive minds.