Ed Reed is Headed to the SWAC as Head Coach of Bethune-Cookman University
Ed Reed Being Inducted Into the NFL Hall of Fame
By: Omar Cook
Black college has been on the rise with national publicity and some of the nation’s top ranked players committing to some of HBCUs premiere programs. Former NFL legends and coaches such as Deion Sanders, Eddie George, and Hugh Jackson have taken on head coaching jobs at HBCUs bringing a major spotlight to Black colleges. Could this be a new trend?
It looks that way as NFL Hall of Famer and Super Bowl champion, Ed Reed, has agreed in principle to become the next head football coach at Bethune-Cookman University. Bethune-Cookman has historically been a powerhouse HBCU program winning six MEAC championships since 2000, but the program has struggled to find its footing since doing the SWAC in 2021.
Bethune-Cookman University Athletics has entered an agreement in principle with Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed to be its 16th head football coach.
— Bethune-Cookman Athletics (@BCUAthletics) December 27, 2022
More information will be forthcoming.#𝙇𝙚𝙩𝙨𝙂𝙤 | #𝙃𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙨 | #𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙮𝙏𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧
Reed will have his hands full in revamping a program that went 2-9 in both of its previous seasons. An advantage that Reed will have is his connections to recruiting in Florida as he has spent the last three seasons at his alma mater, Miami, as a senior football advisor. At 44 years old, Reed will become the school’s 16th Head Coach.
"We are excited to hear that Ed has been named the head football coach at Bethune-Cookman," Miami athletic director Dan Radakovich said. "Ed is one of the best to ever wear a Miami Hurricanes uniform and he has served as a great mentor to our student-athletes the past three years. He will do a tremendous job leading the Wildcats program and the entire Miami family wishes him all the best."
Reed’s football resume includes Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 2001, as well as National Defensive Player of the Year by Football News. He was also a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. Reed was a member of the Hurricane's 2001 National Championship team and went on to be 9x pro-bowler.
This is ,major for Black college football as many fans are wondering how the SWAC will continue to remain in the spotlight after Deion Sanders left Jackson State to take the job at Colorado. With Reed’s resume, expect the Wildcats to field a competitive team in the next few years but they will have their hands full in a tough Eastern Division with Florida A&M and a new look Jackson State team.
