Former North Carolina legend JR Reid steps down as assistant coach at Monmouth

Former North Carolina basketball legend JR Reid has stepped down from his post as an assistant coach at Monmouth, he announced on Tuesday. He spent four years with the program, first joining head coach King Rice’s staff during the 2018-2019 season.

Monmouth marked Reid’s second career coaching gig, getting started with Patrick Henry Comunity College in 2011 and staying there until 2013. Reid did not specify why he would be leaving the program but he is expected to pursue opportunities outside of college basketball.

“First, I would like to thank Dr. McNeil for giving me the opportunity to pursue my coaching career,” Reid said in a statement. “And Jeff Stapelton and President Leahy for allowing me to continue it here. I also want to thank Coach King Rice for allowing me to come to Monmouth and be part of his journey. Special thank you to all the members of the Monmouth Men’s Basketball team that allowed me to be a small part of their basketball careers. They allowed me to check off something on my bucket list, becoming a college coach.

“My family has gotten to see me on the sidelines like my father once did — I have gotten to walk in the footsteps of all my idols like Josh Thompson, George Raveling, and of course, Dean E. Smith. Thank you for all the administrators, fellow coaches, and support staff at Monmouth for making my time so wonderful. Monmouth will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you.”

Reid helped Monmouth win a total of 65 games during his time as an assistant, including the 2021 regular season MAAC title. However, the program was never able to make the NCAA Tournament as they could not win their conference championship. Playing in the title game twice, Monmouth came close in 2019 and 2021.

As a player at North Carolina, Reid was the 1987 Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year after averaging over 14 points and seven rebounds a game. Reid was named a consensus All-American during his sophomore season as well. His college performances earned him a spot on the 1988 Olympic basketball team, where the United States won a bronze medal.

Reid played for six different NBA teams, mostly through the 1990s. The Charlotte Hornets selected him with the fifth overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft and also featured for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, and New York Knicks.