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Frank Reich spoke to the New York City media for the first time since getting hired as offensive coordinator on February 4.
He had high praise for Aaron Glenn throughout the press conference.
“Super excited to be a Jet and, obviously, this opportunity is one that I’m thankful to AG (Aaron Glenn) for,” Reich said. “Having a chance to work with and for him, obviously, you guys know we go way back, not only as teammates, but really as former players who found their way into the coaching profession and then have kept in touch and continued to develop that relationship over the years.”
I’m not going to lie, I didn’t realize they were this close, and I’m not being sarcastic.
Clearly, the bond over the years was stronger than some realized.
And that is a good thing.
In other words, this isn’t an arranged marriage.
We have seen many of those around here, and in other places, like GMs and head coaches being put together, which we have certain seen around here.
It’s ironic to bring up the arranged marriage today with the Philadelphia Eagles hiring Mike Maccagnan today. The former GM was hired today as a personnel executive by Eagles GM Howie Roseman.
Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles were put together with the Jets in an arranged marriage, like Rex Ryan and John Idzik.
These often don’t work. Neither one of those arranged marriages worked. A league source told me, at one point later in the partnership, Bowles and Maccagnan were not even speaking to each other.
So the fact that Reich told us today that he and Glenn have had a good relationship over the year, should be considered good news for Jets fans.
While they never worked together as coaches, they did play together, and clearly have had a good relationship over the years, crossing paths as coaches over the years.
Honestly, it’s hard not to get along with Reich. I know he didn’t seem to get along with Carolina owner David Tepper when Reich was the head coach of the Panthers, but some would argue he has some company on that front.
Reich is one of the good guys in the NFL.
A man of deep faith, he has great people skills.
But obviously, just as important as his people skills are his offensive coaching skills, and that is clearly there.
It’s hard to find many in the football world who don’t rave about Reich as an offensive coach.
The Jets are going from a first-time NFL offensive play-caller in Tanner Engstrand, to a guy who was an offensive coordinator with the San Diego Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles, and a head coach/offensive coordinator with the Indianapolis Colts, Panthers and Stanford Cardinal.
When it comes to offensive play-calling and sequencing plays, this guy is a master chess player.
With the Jets talented offensive line, myriad weapons, and a game-manager at QB who is a good point guard, when teamed with a good play-caller, it’s would be surprising if Reich isn’t successful as the Jets offensive coordinator.
And on top of that, he will be a terrific sounding board for Glenn entering just his second year as an NFL head coach. Reich has been there, don’t that.
This was a hire that is hard to argue with on any level.
May 6, 2026
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