Christian McCaffrey has shown his love for his alma mater. The 49ers RB is currently juggling personal turmoil as his pregnant wife, Olivia Culpo, battles health issues. However, McCaffrey, 28, knows how to handle tense situations well. Recently, he made waves by making a strong statement both on and off the pitch: “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline,” he wrote. And, now, his fierce reaction to Frank Reich‘s hiring as Stanford’s interim head coach showcased his fondness for his college.

Taking to his official Instagram handle, the NFL RB demonstrated his exhilaration over the recruitment of Frank. “Let’s GO!!,”  the 49ers RB mentioned in his post. He also tagged Stanford Football in his post, writing “@stanfordball is back.” McCaffrey’s strong reaction came after NFL reporter Adam Schefter confirmed the news of Frank Reich’s hiring as the interim head coach at Stanford University.

Initially, Schefter dropped this breaking news by sharing a picture of the former NFL QB. “Stanford is hiring veteran NFL coach Frank Reich as the school’s interim football coach for the 2025 season, per ESPN’s @petethamel. Both sides have agreed this will be only a one-season agreement,” he penned in his IG post.

The three-time Pro Bowler’s excitement for the new coach showcases his deep connection with his college team, Stanford Cardinal. Before becoming an NFL star RB, Christian was a distinguished RB for Stanford. During his playing period from 2014 to 2016 as a Cardinal, he bagged the AP College Football Player of the Year award in 2015.

Additionally, McCaffrey also became a Heisman Trophy finalist at Stanford. His collegiate accomplishments truly showcase his determination for Stanford. And now, the 49ers RB’s reaction to Stanford’s new interim coach is a testament to his huge expectations for his college for the 2025 season.

Reich, who is renowned for his outstanding leadership, took this position after Stanford fired coach Troy Taylor.

Frank Reich becomes the interim head coach for Stanford

On Monday, several sources confirmed Frank Reich’s hiring as the new Interim HC after former coach Taylor’s firing. Reich, who has had a successful tenure with the Indianapolis Colts, takes over as head coach of Stanford Cardinal to bring fresh energy to a program that desperately needs it.

Stanford‘s new coach, Reich, who has over 17 years of NFL experience as both an assistant and head coach, is prepared to take on this responsibility with grace. “The unique responsibility to mentor the best student-athletes in the world, to be the absolute best in what they aspire to do, is an opportunity I will fully embrace,” Reich stated.

Stanford’s move to hire Reich corresponds with the controversies surrounding former head coach Troy Taylor. Taylor was fired by the university following a misconduct investigation that revealed evidence of mistreatment of female employees.

Having coached under Reich in Indianapolis, Stanford GM Andrew Luck complimented the new hire. He highlighted Reich’s capacity to motivate players on and off the field. “Frank is a teacher, a winner, and a coach of the highest caliber. Frank’s values align seamlessly with our vision for this program and I firmly believe in his ability to maximize the on-field potential of our student-athletes while serving as a role model in all aspects of their personal growth.”

However, this will be Reich’s first collegiate coaching experience. Earlier, Frank joined as the HC for the Colts in 2018, leading the team to a 40-33-1 record over his 5 seasons in charge. He also mentored the Carolina Panthers for a single season in 2023. After Reich’s 1-10 start with the team, the Panthers fired him in November 2023. With Reich at the helm for the 2025 season, Stanford seeks to leverage his veteran leadership in the collegiate landscape.