Ed Reed’s bizarre and brief time with Bethune-Cookman began with an exciting announcement on December 27th that the university reached an agreement with the Pro Football Hall of Famer to become their new head football coach.
“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,” tweeted the university.
Football fans rejoiced and expressed their excitement to have the former Miami Hurricanes and NFL legend at the helm of an HBCU institution.
Reed’s presence extended the trend of adding NFL talent to HBCU programs, something seen with programs such as Morgan State (Tyrone Wheatley), Tennessee St. (Eddie George), Grambling (Hue Jackson), and of course, Jackson St (Deion Sanders).
Deion’s tenure and manner of exit ruffled the feathers of some in the HBCU community. Many feel that HBCUs do not need NFL personalities to bring credibility to or act as “saviors” for these programs. That’s perfectly understandable, for as much as Deion brought and gave to Jackson St., the university also provided him with the opportunity to launch his collegiate coaching career.
Regardless of the feelings, Reed’s “hiring” generally brought more happiness than hesitancy across the entire college football landscape.
But then things quickly and shockingly soured.
Reed went on two IG Live rants about the mindset of some at the institution and the conditions of the school’s facilities.
And despite his eventual apology, keeping it real had already gone wrong.
On Saturday afternoon, Reed took to IG Live once again, only this time he announced that Bethune-Cookman (BC) decided not to ratify his pending contract to become the university’s head football coach.
Continue reading over at First and Pen.
This content has been brought to you by First and Pen in partnership with TheHub.News. First and Pen “amplifies local sports stories from voices of color to the national conscience…”
