University of Miami

Miami legend, Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed to leave Canes to coach Bethune-Cookman

Miami Hurricanes cornerback Malik Curtis (16) and Hurricanes senior football advisor Ed Reed walk off the field after the Hurricanes lost to the Pittsburgh Panthers 16-42 during an ACC conference football game at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, November 26, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Miami Hurricanes cornerback Malik Curtis (16) and Hurricanes senior football advisor Ed Reed walk off the field after the Hurricanes lost to the Pittsburgh Panthers 16-42 during an ACC conference football game at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, November 26, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. dsantiago@miamiherald.com

A University of Miami legend is leaving the U as its “Chief of Staff” to join Bethune-Cookman as its new football coach.

“Bethune-Cookman University has entered an agreement in principle with Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed to be its 16th head football coach,’’ Bethune-Cookman Athletics posted on Twitter Tuesday night.

“More information will be forthcoming. #LetsGo #HailWildcats #PreyTogether.”

“We are excited to hear that Ed Reed has been named the head football coach at Bethune-Cookman,’’ UM athletic director Dan Radakovich told the Miami Herald in a text message. “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 replaces former Bethune-Cookman coach Terry Sims, who was fired in November. Bethune-Cookman, 2-9 in 2022, plays in the Southwest Athletic Conference of the FCS, the same conference as Jackson State, where Deion Sanders just resigned to take the head job at Colorado.

Reed was named to the UM staff in late January 2020, when Manny Diaz was head coach. He was announced then as serving in an advisory role that would include strategic planning, quality control, player evaluation and player development.

Reed played with the Hurricanes from 1997 (redshirt season) through 2001, won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens in 2013 (2012 season) and was inducted into the Hall in August 2019.

At Miami, he was a consensus first-team All-American his final two seasons, and still holds the UM records for career interceptions with 21 and interception return yards with 389.

This story was originally published December 27, 2022 at 7:06 PM.

Susan Miller Degnan
Miami Herald
Miami Herald sports writer Susan Miller Degnan has been the Miami Hurricanes football beat writer since 2000, the season before the Canes won it all. She has won several APSE national writing awards and has covered everything from Canes baseball to the College Football Playoff to major marathons to the Olympics.
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