Eastern Michigan assistant Fred Reed passes away at 54

Eastern Michigan defensive pass game coordinator and safeties coach Fred Reed passed away Sunday, the school announced in a press release. He was 54.

Reed spent 27 years as a football coach, including 25 in the college ranks and two in the NFL. He had been a member of the Eagles since 2016, helping turn their defense into a consistent force in the MAC during that time. His resume features eight bowl games and three conference championships, and he coached four All-Americans, 13 first-team all-conference selections, and 11 future NFL prospects.

“We are devastated to learn of Coach Reed’s passing,” Eastern Michigan athletic director Scott Wetherbee said. “Fred was the ultimate model of a husband, father, friend, and coach. Our hearts go out to his wife, La’Shannon, his children, Amar’e and Khamara, and anyone who was lucky enough to have known him. He will be dearly missed.”

The Eagles saw a remarkable improvement in their first season with Reed, finishing in a tie for the most improved program in the FBS. Eastern Michigan 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.

This past season EMU’s defense forced 18 turnovers, scoring points off of 15 (11 touchdowns, four field goals). The Eagles scored 89 points off those turnovers, three times as a direct result of the play, and 12 times in the subsequent offensive possession. They finished the year with a 7-6 record after falling in the LendingTree Bowl to Liberty.

Before joining the staff at Eastern Michigan, Reed spent three seasons as defensive backs coach at Syracuse from 2013-15. He was also 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 while also keeping his status as secondary coach. 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).

The coach also had stints at Ohio, South Dakota and with the NFL’s Detroit Lions.

Fred Reed was 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.

He is survived by his wife, La’Shannon, and their two children, Amar’e Reed and Khamara. Amar’e previously announced that he would be joining the EMU football program for the upcoming 2022 season.

“Please keep Coach Reed’s family in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time,” EMU head coach Chris Creighton said. “It is impossible to capture what he means to all of us right now.”