Frank Reich was officially introduced as Stanford’s interim head football coach for the 2025 season on Tuesday afternoon, joining General Manager Andrew Luck in a press conference that emphasized continuity, character and competitive standards.

“I could not be more excited for our players, our coaches, and myself personally to have Frank Reich as our 36th head coach,” Luck said. “He’s a teacher, a winner and a coach of the highest caliber.”

Reich, 63, enters the role after a decades-long NFL career, including head coaching stints with the Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers. While the role at Stanford is for one season only, Reich made it clear the intent is not to tread water.

“This interim label does not mean a step back,” Reich said. “It does not mean hitting the pause button. It means we’re moving forward, and the seeds of what can be a long-term vision can be planted this year.”

Reich said the opportunity emerged quickly, with Luck calling while Reich was shopping at a Costco in North Carolina. Despite previous NFL offers this offseason, Reich said he had decided to step away from coaching — until Luck called.

“I told Linda, my wife, I’d only consider something if it was the right person and the right place,” Reich said. “When Andrew called, it was the right person, and it’s the right place.”

Reich, who coached Luck during a successful 2018 campaign in Indianapolis, will assume on-field responsibilities while Luck oversees much of the administrative work. The structure was a key selling point.

“My focus is football,” Reich said. “Andrew’s going to assume a lot of the responsibilities that a normal head coach would have to take.”

The duo spoke openly about their shared philosophy and past success together in the NFL.

“We just kept trusting our process,” Luck said of their Colts tenure. “We had a pretty magical season. It reaffirmed why Frank was my first call.”

While Reich emphasized his short-term commitment, as he stated that “this year is what works for my life,” he also made clear that his expectations are high.

“The standard is elite,” Reich said. “I mean, we’re trying to be the best.”

Reich inherits a young coaching staff, but expressed confidence after early meetings.

“After one day of meeting with them, I said to Andrew, you underestimated how good this staff is,” he said. “We’re starting by trusting each other.”

Luck acknowledged the timing of Taylor’s departure was “nontraditional,” but said the move was necessary after realizing the program has “got to move forward.”

“We’re not tanking for the first pick in the draft, right?” Luck said. “We need to win this season. We need to take steps forward. This could be the last football season for many seniors in their career … I owe it to these guys. We’re not laying down. This isn’t a give-up year.”

While the process for hiring a permanent coach will begin after the season, Luck emphasized that the focus remains on the present.

“We’re all in on this season,” Luck said. “And that’s what our players feel. That’s what our staff feels. And when the time is right, we will be working on the process for what’s next.”

Reich summed up his remarks at the press conference with some closing optimism.

“If we commit to becoming the best at getting better, then there is no limit,” Reich said. “Together, we can have a very successful season.”

While hiring a one-year interim head coach is fairly unusual in the sports world, it appears both Luck and Reich are confident that this is the best decision for Stanford football.