Eastern Michigan Athletics
Football
Reed, Fred
vs
Northern Illinois
Oct 11 (Sat)
TBA
Fred Reed
- Title:
- Assistant Coach/Cornerbacks
- Email:
- freed3@emich.edu
- Phone:
- 734.487.2160
Entering his seventh year at EMU is Fred Reed, who came to Ypsilanti after spending three years at Syracuse University. A veteran coach with experience at the collegiate and professional levels, he shifted from cornerbacks to safeties in 2020 along with the Defensive Pass Game Coordinator role.
Reed’s 27-year coaching career includes 25 seasons in the college ranks and two years in the National Football League. Reed’s resume includes eight bowl games and three conference championships, and he has coached four All-Americans,13 first-team all-conference selections, and developed 11 NFL prospects.
Reed’s player development skills were on full display in 2021, as safety Russell Vaden IV returned from injury to become one of the best score-stoppers in the Mid-American Conference. The Louisville, Ky. native led all Eastern Michigan players with three interceptions, a career-high. That number was tied for the second-most of any player in the league during the 2021 campaign. Elsewhere in the backfield, defensive back Jarrett Paul made an immediate impact on the EMU defense in his first season with the Green and White. The Brooklyn, N.Y. native was tied for fourth on the team in total regular-season tackles (45), and led all EMU players in pass break ups, with five. One of the best open-field tacklers for Eastern Michigan, 60 percent of his stops came in solo fashion.
Reed’s efforts as the team’s defensive passing game coordinator were critical for the team’s overall success during the 2021 campaign. EMU forced 18 turnovers in 2021, and scored points off of 15 (11 touchdowns, 4 field goals). EMU scored 89 points off those turnovers, three times as a direct result of the play, and 12 times in its subsequent offensive possession.
In 2020, Reed mentored Alvinoski LaFleur into a First Team All-MAC safety. A consistent force for the defense that finished as the seventh-best red zone stop specialists in the nation, he was able to record multiple tackles in each contest. LaFleur also recorded back-to-back games with 10+ stops, which marked the first time that accomplishment has been recorded by an Eagle since Brody Hoying did it in 2019. LaFleur finished tied for second in the MAC with two interceptions, but led the conference in return yardage off interceptions (97 yards).
Reed assisted in the game planning for a unit that offered improvements in two categories over 2019’s squad, as opponents fared worse in passing yards per attempt (8.07/8.08) and third-down conversion rate (38.2% 29-of-76/44.8% 82-of-183). Additionally, the EMU defense was able to hold opponents off the scoreboard in 17 percent of its overall frames this year (4-of-24).
The EMU defense was successful at forcing turnovers throughout the team’s six games. Eastern recovered nine fumbles, which ranked first in the MAC and 11th nationally, and had three interceptions, which was good for seventh in the league.
In 2019, Reed helped Kevin McGill garner All-Mid-American Conference third-team honors. A fixture on the preseason watch lists with Bednarik Award, Nagurski, and Thorpe Award Watch List selections, McGill finished the regular season with 30 tackles, five pass breakups, two TFLs, and an interception as a senior.
2018 saw the EMU defense once again at the top of the Mid-American Conference, as the Eagles allowed just 150.2 passing yards per game, good for tops in the league and third-best in the NCAA. Eastern had two players, Vince Calhoun and Kevin McGill, intercept three passes apiece, tied for second-most in the MAC.
The defense in 2017 allowed just 3.8 points per game over the course of the final 15 minutes. Even better at home, the Eagles did not give up a fourth quarter point inside “The Factory”. Nationally, EMU ranked fourth in the fewest points given up in the fourth. The defense also posted three returns for touchdowns, the most by an EMU squad since 1994.
The Eagles saw a remarkable improvement in its first season with Reed, finishing in a tie for the most improved program in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). EMU allowed 86.5 yards per game less in 2016 (432.7 per game) than it did in 2015 (519.2 per game) to rank 83rd in the country and seventh in the MAC.
Senior DaQuan Pace wrapped up his stellar EMU career as the career pass breakup leader with 28 career interruptions. The cornerback finished with 50 total tackles and a team-high three interceptions, as well as a team-best nine breakups. His three picks ranked fifth in the MAC, as well as 64th in the country, while his 11 passes defended were tied for ninth in the MAC.
Reed spent three years working with the defensive backs at Syracuse from 2013-15. Last year, Reed helped develop safety Antwan Cordy who finished second on the team in tackles (68) and set the school single-season record for most tackles-for-loss by a defensive back with 12.0. A season earlier in 2014, the Orange defense held nine of its 12 opponents to less than its season average for total offense and was one of four Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams to surrender fewer than 10 rushing touchdowns (9). Additionally, the SU defense was responsible for four touchdowns (2 interceptions returns, 2 fumble returns), including two in the team’s win at Wake Forest.
During the 2013 campaign, Syracuse was the only FBS team in the nation not to allow a 100-yard rusher as it won the 2013 Texas Bowl. In total, the defense finished ranked nationally in multiple categories, including third-down defense (15th), rush defense (24th), sacks (18th), and tackles for loss (18th).
Reed had two coaching stints at Ohio University. He spent three years as the cornerbacks and punt return coach before coming to Syracuse, during which the Bobcats won one Mid-American Conference East Division championship and played in three bowl games, including the 2010 New Orleans Bowl, 2011 Idaho Potato Bowl and 2012 Independence Bowl, and he developed all-conference selection Travis Carrie. Ohio won both the Idaho Potato Bowl and the Independence Bowl. In 2005, Reed also mentored the cornerbacks and punt return team. He coached All-American defensive back Dion Byrum, who led the MAC and ranked second in the nation with six interceptions.
Reed was the secondary coach at the University at Buffalo in 2008 when the Bulls won the MAC championship and played in the International Bowl. His 2008 defense led the nation in forced fumbles and his 2009 unit ranked 43rd in total defense, which was the highest finish for a Bulls defense in 10 years. In 2009, Reed was promoted to defensive coordinator and he also coached the secondary. That season, the Bulls’ defense led the MAC in opponent fourth down conversion percentage (27.3 percent), finished third in total defense (342.7) and first downs allowed (232), fourth in rushing defense (131.8) and fourth in pass defense efficiency (120.0) Reed mentored two-time All-MAC safeties Davonte Shannon and Mike Newton.
In 2006 and 2007, Reed was a defensive assistant for the Detroit Lions working with the safeties, including Kenoy Kennedy, Terrence Holt, Daniel Bullocks and Gerald Alexander.
Prior to his first stint at Ohio, Reed spent two seasons as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He helped lead the Mavericks to a Top 25 ranking in both the 2003 and 2004 season and a North Central Conference Championship in 2004. His defense led the conference in takeaways in both 2003 and 2004 and ranked second in the conference in overall defense in 2004. Prior to being elevated to defensive coordinator, Reed spent three seasons as special teams coordinator and defensive secondary coach at UNO. In 2000, the Mavericks led the NCC in pass efficiency defense en route to winning the conference championship.
Reed spent three seasons as recruiting coordinator and linebackers coach at Michigan Tech. In 1999, he helped lead the Huskies to a 6-5 mark - their first winning season in five years. He started his career as a secondary coach at South Dakota in 1994. He also coached the secondary for a season at Minnesota Morris (1996).
Reed is a 1994 graduate of Colorado Mesa University with a bachelor’s degree in recreation management. He played free safety for the Mavericks from 1991-92. He earned his master’s in sports management from the United States Sports Academy in 2002.
Reed and his wife, LaShannon, have two children, Amare’ and Khamara.
Reed’s 27-year coaching career includes 25 seasons in the college ranks and two years in the National Football League. Reed’s resume includes eight bowl games and three conference championships, and he has coached four All-Americans,13 first-team all-conference selections, and developed 11 NFL prospects.
Reed’s player development skills were on full display in 2021, as safety Russell Vaden IV returned from injury to become one of the best score-stoppers in the Mid-American Conference. The Louisville, Ky. native led all Eastern Michigan players with three interceptions, a career-high. That number was tied for the second-most of any player in the league during the 2021 campaign. Elsewhere in the backfield, defensive back Jarrett Paul made an immediate impact on the EMU defense in his first season with the Green and White. The Brooklyn, N.Y. native was tied for fourth on the team in total regular-season tackles (45), and led all EMU players in pass break ups, with five. One of the best open-field tacklers for Eastern Michigan, 60 percent of his stops came in solo fashion.
Reed’s efforts as the team’s defensive passing game coordinator were critical for the team’s overall success during the 2021 campaign. EMU forced 18 turnovers in 2021, and scored points off of 15 (11 touchdowns, 4 field goals). EMU scored 89 points off those turnovers, three times as a direct result of the play, and 12 times in its subsequent offensive possession.
In 2020, Reed mentored Alvinoski LaFleur into a First Team All-MAC safety. A consistent force for the defense that finished as the seventh-best red zone stop specialists in the nation, he was able to record multiple tackles in each contest. LaFleur also recorded back-to-back games with 10+ stops, which marked the first time that accomplishment has been recorded by an Eagle since Brody Hoying did it in 2019. LaFleur finished tied for second in the MAC with two interceptions, but led the conference in return yardage off interceptions (97 yards).
Reed assisted in the game planning for a unit that offered improvements in two categories over 2019’s squad, as opponents fared worse in passing yards per attempt (8.07/8.08) and third-down conversion rate (38.2% 29-of-76/44.8% 82-of-183). Additionally, the EMU defense was able to hold opponents off the scoreboard in 17 percent of its overall frames this year (4-of-24).
The EMU defense was successful at forcing turnovers throughout the team’s six games. Eastern recovered nine fumbles, which ranked first in the MAC and 11th nationally, and had three interceptions, which was good for seventh in the league.
In 2019, Reed helped Kevin McGill garner All-Mid-American Conference third-team honors. A fixture on the preseason watch lists with Bednarik Award, Nagurski, and Thorpe Award Watch List selections, McGill finished the regular season with 30 tackles, five pass breakups, two TFLs, and an interception as a senior.
2018 saw the EMU defense once again at the top of the Mid-American Conference, as the Eagles allowed just 150.2 passing yards per game, good for tops in the league and third-best in the NCAA. Eastern had two players, Vince Calhoun and Kevin McGill, intercept three passes apiece, tied for second-most in the MAC.
The defense in 2017 allowed just 3.8 points per game over the course of the final 15 minutes. Even better at home, the Eagles did not give up a fourth quarter point inside “The Factory”. Nationally, EMU ranked fourth in the fewest points given up in the fourth. The defense also posted three returns for touchdowns, the most by an EMU squad since 1994.
The Eagles saw a remarkable improvement in its first season with Reed, finishing in a tie for the most improved program in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). EMU allowed 86.5 yards per game less in 2016 (432.7 per game) than it did in 2015 (519.2 per game) to rank 83rd in the country and seventh in the MAC.
Senior DaQuan Pace wrapped up his stellar EMU career as the career pass breakup leader with 28 career interruptions. The cornerback finished with 50 total tackles and a team-high three interceptions, as well as a team-best nine breakups. His three picks ranked fifth in the MAC, as well as 64th in the country, while his 11 passes defended were tied for ninth in the MAC.
Reed spent three years working with the defensive backs at Syracuse from 2013-15. Last year, Reed helped develop safety Antwan Cordy who finished second on the team in tackles (68) and set the school single-season record for most tackles-for-loss by a defensive back with 12.0. A season earlier in 2014, the Orange defense held nine of its 12 opponents to less than its season average for total offense and was one of four Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams to surrender fewer than 10 rushing touchdowns (9). Additionally, the SU defense was responsible for four touchdowns (2 interceptions returns, 2 fumble returns), including two in the team’s win at Wake Forest.
During the 2013 campaign, Syracuse was the only FBS team in the nation not to allow a 100-yard rusher as it won the 2013 Texas Bowl. In total, the defense finished ranked nationally in multiple categories, including third-down defense (15th), rush defense (24th), sacks (18th), and tackles for loss (18th).
Reed had two coaching stints at Ohio University. He spent three years as the cornerbacks and punt return coach before coming to Syracuse, during which the Bobcats won one Mid-American Conference East Division championship and played in three bowl games, including the 2010 New Orleans Bowl, 2011 Idaho Potato Bowl and 2012 Independence Bowl, and he developed all-conference selection Travis Carrie. Ohio won both the Idaho Potato Bowl and the Independence Bowl. In 2005, Reed also mentored the cornerbacks and punt return team. He coached All-American defensive back Dion Byrum, who led the MAC and ranked second in the nation with six interceptions.
Reed was the secondary coach at the University at Buffalo in 2008 when the Bulls won the MAC championship and played in the International Bowl. His 2008 defense led the nation in forced fumbles and his 2009 unit ranked 43rd in total defense, which was the highest finish for a Bulls defense in 10 years. In 2009, Reed was promoted to defensive coordinator and he also coached the secondary. That season, the Bulls’ defense led the MAC in opponent fourth down conversion percentage (27.3 percent), finished third in total defense (342.7) and first downs allowed (232), fourth in rushing defense (131.8) and fourth in pass defense efficiency (120.0) Reed mentored two-time All-MAC safeties Davonte Shannon and Mike Newton.
In 2006 and 2007, Reed was a defensive assistant for the Detroit Lions working with the safeties, including Kenoy Kennedy, Terrence Holt, Daniel Bullocks and Gerald Alexander.
Prior to his first stint at Ohio, Reed spent two seasons as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He helped lead the Mavericks to a Top 25 ranking in both the 2003 and 2004 season and a North Central Conference Championship in 2004. His defense led the conference in takeaways in both 2003 and 2004 and ranked second in the conference in overall defense in 2004. Prior to being elevated to defensive coordinator, Reed spent three seasons as special teams coordinator and defensive secondary coach at UNO. In 2000, the Mavericks led the NCC in pass efficiency defense en route to winning the conference championship.
Reed spent three seasons as recruiting coordinator and linebackers coach at Michigan Tech. In 1999, he helped lead the Huskies to a 6-5 mark - their first winning season in five years. He started his career as a secondary coach at South Dakota in 1994. He also coached the secondary for a season at Minnesota Morris (1996).
Reed is a 1994 graduate of Colorado Mesa University with a bachelor’s degree in recreation management. He played free safety for the Mavericks from 1991-92. He earned his master’s in sports management from the United States Sports Academy in 2002.
Reed and his wife, LaShannon, have two children, Amare’ and Khamara.
| The Fred Reed File | ||
| Name: | Fred Reed | |
| High School: | Thorton H.S. - Harvey, Ill. | |
| College: | Colorado Mesa University - Bachelor’s degree in recreation & leisure studies - 1994 | |
| United States Sports Academy - Master's in sports management - 2002 | ||
| Family: | Wife - LaShannn; Children - Amar'e and Khamara | |
| Coaching Experience | ||
| Year | School/Company | Position |
| 2020-Present | Eastern Michigan University | Assistant Coach/Safeties/Defensive Pass Game Coordinator |
| 2016-19 | Eastern Michigan University | Assistant Coach/Cornerbacks |
| 2013-15 | Syracuse University | Assistant Coach/Defensive Backs |
| 2010-12 | Ohio University | Assistant Coach/Cornerbacks/Punt Return |
| 2008-09 | University at Buffalo | Assistant Coach/Defensive Coordinator/DBs |
| 2006-07 | Detroit Lions | Defensive Assistant Safeties Coach |
| 2005 | Ohio University | Assistant Coach/Cornerbacks/Punt Return |
| 2003-04 | University of Nebraska-Omaha | Assistant Coach/Defensive Coordinator/DBs |
| 2000-02 | University of Nebraska-Omaha | Assistant Coach/Defensive Backs/Special Teams |
| 1997-99 | Michigan Technological University | Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator/LBs |
| 1996 | University of Minnesota, Morris | Assistant Coach/Secondary Coach |
| 1994-94 | University of South Dakota | Assistant Coach/Secondary Coach |
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