Recently fired head coach is Patriots best choice for OC

Frank Reich was fired as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts in 2022, and he would be the best candidate to be the Patriots’ offensive coordinator in 2023.  Reich is the best choice by far, and I’m not sure it’s particularly close either.

Reich’s ending in Indianapolis was not exactly pretty, and it’s easy to see why some would be turned off at the idea of him being the offensive coordinator, but his 40-33-1 regular season record as a head coach is solid, and his work with veteran quarterbacks is extensive.

First, Carson Wentz.  Wentz was a very raw prospect coming out of college, and between Reich and Doug Pederson, Wentz was, for at least a few years, a top five quarterback in the NFL.  When Wentz endured a disastrous 2020 season with the Eagles, he bounced back in a big way with the Colts in 2021.

Before Wentz arrived in Indianapolis, Reich was tasked with trying to squeeze the rest of whatever Philip Rivers had left in him.  Before becoming a Colt in 2020, Rivers threw 20 interceptions in his last year as a Charger in 2019.

And in Andrew Luck’s last year in 2018, Reich was able to help Luck enjoy his best season as a passer.  The next year in 2019, Luck abruptly retired, leaving the team to start Jacoby Brissett, a high quality backup, as the primary starter.

Somehow, Frank Reich still fielded the 16th ranked scoring offense that year.

His work with veteran quarterbacks and QB development is quite noticeable, so no matter what quarterback situation the Patriots have in 2023, Reich makes a ton of sense to be the play-caller.

As far as we know now, Reich only has one head coaching interview lined up, and that’s with the Carolina Panthers.  So, it doesn’t seem likely that he’s going to get a head coaching gig this offseason, which will make him a hot candidate to be an offensive coordinator.

The Patriots should try their hardest to get Reich into the building.