Lawrence Taylor and Aaron Donald are frequently mentioned as the greatest defensive players of all time due to their ability to disrupt and get after the quarterback. When it comes to defensive backs who may make that argument, former Miami Hurricane and NFL Hall of Famer Ed Reed is at the top of the list due to his ball-hawking abilities, which saw him pick up eight or more interceptions in three seasons.
Now that his NFL career is over and he is still striving to be a part of football, Reed has taken an unconventional way to the coaching ranks. After concluding his NFL career with the New York Jets in 2013, he joined the Buffalo Bills as an assistant defensive back coach in 2016.
After only one season at Buffalo, he returned to his alma university, Miami, to work in an administrative role for the football club from 2020 to 2022. Following that, he agreed to become the head coach of Bethune-Cookman in 2023, but talks fell through, ending the possibility. Reed has been named the offensive coordinator for Chamblee High School in Georgia.
Chamblee High School has three NFL alumni, the most prominent being Steve Wallace, who won three Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers and was named Second Team All-Pro in 1992 as an offensive tackle.
Despite not having been in college or the pros, Reed’s appointment as offensive coordinator will be the most visible coaching position he has held to date. Despite Reed’s experience as a defensive back, having someone as successful and educated about the game as him will only help Chamblee, which finished 2-9 this season.
After nearly a decade away from coaching, Reed will have the opportunity to gain vital knowledge and provide high school youngsters with guidance from one of the best players in history.