Skip to content

Ed Reed not taking Bethune-Cookman job after deal falls through

Scott Cunningham / National Basketball Association / Getty

Warning: Videos contains coarse language

Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed won't be patrolling the sidelines as Bethune-Cookman's head coach after all.

"After weeks of negotiations, I've been informed that the university won't be ratifying my contract and make good on the agreement we had in principle, which had provisions and resources best needed to support student-athletes," Reed said in a statement Saturday.

Reed informed the team that he wouldn't be the Wildcats' coach in an impassioned speech.

Bethune-Cookman announced late last month that Reed had agreed to become the program's new head coach. The former Baltimore Ravens star was expected to replace Terry Sims, who Bethune-Cookman fired after seven seasons following a 2-9 campaign in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

However, Reed drew scrutiny shortly after the announcement of his hiring.

The former All-Pro defensive back posted an expletive-filled rant on Instagram Live earlier this week regarding the conditions of Bethune-Cookman's football facilitates, particularly his on-campus office.

In another video posted by Reed, he agreed with Colorado head coach Deion Sanders' criticism that leadership at Historically Black College and Universities have "broken mentalities."

Reed later apologized for his remarks and "lack of professionalism," blaming the outbursts on his passionate nature.

"I fell victim while engaging with antagonists on social media as well," he said.

Reed was set to become the latest NFL star to take the helm of an HBCU program after Sanders (who previously coached at Jackson State) and Eddie George (Tennessee State).

The 44-year-old spent the past three seasons at his alma mater, Miami, serving in an administrative role. Reed spent most of his career playing for the Ravens (2002-12) but also had stints with New York Jets and Houston Texans in 2013.

The nine-time Pro Bowler previously worked as an assistant defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills in 2016.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox