Frank Pollack in 2023 enters his 17th season as an NFL coach, and his fourth overall with Cincinnati. He returned to the Bengals staff as offensive line coach in 2021 — with the added distinction of run game coordinator — after previously serving in the same role in 2018. Pollack spent two seasons in between (2019-20) with the N.Y. Jets.
In 2021, Pollack oversaw an offensive line that used eight different starting lineups during the regular season, working around injuries to RG Hakeem Adeniji and ROT Riley Reiff, among others. The unit still managed to pave the way for RB Joe Mixon's career year, as the fifth-year pro ranked third in the NFL in rushing yards (1205) and fourth in rushing TDs (13). Pollack's line also protected second-year QB Joe Burrow, who set team records for passing yardage (4611), TD passes (34) and passer rating (108.3).
During his two seasons with the Jets, Pollack helped develop 2020 first-round pick Mekhi Becton, who earned numerous all-rookie honors. In 2019, Pollack steered the Jets through a wave of injuries that forced the team to use 11 different starters (second-most in the NFL) along the line. The line still showed improvement, allowing 22 fewer sacks in the second half of the season compared to the first.
During his previous stop with the Bengals in 2018, Pollack led an offensive line that saw four new players transition into regular starting roles. The unit opened holes for Mixon recording 1168 rushing yards.
Pollack spent 2013-17 coaching the offensive line in Dallas, where he developed that unit into one of the most dominant in the NFL. Over his tenure, he aided in the development of OT Tyron Smith, C Travis Frederick and G Zack Martin, who each earned Pro Bowl selections from '15-17. In 2017, the line contributed to Dallas averaging 4.52 yards per carry (third in the NFL).
In 2016, Dallas' o-line was named the NFL's Offensive Line of the Year, after helping RB Ezekiel Elliott rush for a league-leading 1631 yards. The Cowboys finished second in the NFL in both rushing yards per game (149.8) and time of possession (31:41). The line also protected QB Dak Prescott, who was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
In 2015, Pollack's first season leading the Dallas o-line, Smith, Frederick and Martin received All-Pro honors. The Cowboys racked up 1890 rushing yards (ninth in the NFL) and averaged 4.63 yards per carry (fifth).
Pollack served as Dallas' assistant offensive line coach in 2014, a season in which the Cowboys produced a 4.63-yard rushing average (third in NFL), with RB DeMarco Murray rushing for a franchise-record 1845 yards.
In 2013, Pollack's first season in Dallas, the Cowboys ranked eighth in the NFL in yards per carry (4.48), while allowing the seventh-fewest sacks in the league (35).
Prior to Dallas, Pollack in 2012 was offensive line coach for the Oakland Raiders. From 2010-11, he served as assistant offensive line coach with the Houston Texans, helping the team rank second in the league with a franchise-record 153 rushing yards per game in '11. In 2010, the Houston line blocked for All-Pro RB Arian Foster, who led the league in rushing yards (1616) and TDs (18).
Before joining the pro ranks, Pollack began his coaching career at his alma mater, Northern Arizona, where he served as co-offensive line coach in 2005 and offensive line coach in '06.
A sixth-round draft choice by San Francisco in 1990, Pollack played two seasons (1990-91) with the 49ers, before joining Denver for two years ('92-93). He then re-joined San Francisco for the final five seasons of his playing career (1994-98), and helped the 49ers to a Super Bowl championship in '94.
In college, Pollack played both offensive tackle and guard at Northern Arizona from 1985-89. He graduated with a degree in advertising from NAU in 1990, and in 2010 he was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame.
Pollack and his wife, Wendy, have three sons — Frankie, Carter and Wilson.
