He returns to Indianapolis after leading the Philadelphia Eagles to their first Super Bowl win while serving as offensive coordinator.
Five days after Josh McDaniels reversed course and turned down the job, the Indianapolis Colts have hired Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich to be their new head coach.
Reich, who began his coaching career in Indianapolis as an intern in 2006, will take over a program that went 4-12 this season. Quarterback Andrew Luck didn’t take a snap in 2017 while recovering from a shoulder injury.
The Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network confirmed the hiring . NFL.com was first to report the news.
During Reich’s previous tenure with the Colts – from 2006-2011 – he worked some with quarterback Peyton Manning.
Reich, 56, helped the Eagles to their first Super Bowl victory, defeating the New England Patriots – where McDaniels serves as offensive coordinator – 41-33. McDaniels had verbally committed to the Colts, then backed out last Tuesday, leaving the team with few options and a quickly closing time window. McDaniels remained in his current post with the Patriots, with what is presumably a sweetened deal and a path to the head coaching slot.
Reich will replace Chuck Pagano, who was fired six weeks ago after six seasons.
Follow Gardner on Twitter @SteveAGarner
PHOTOS: EAGLES FANS CELEBRATE SUPER BOWL WIN
