Don't expect Ed Reed to join Mark Stoops' coaching staff

Steve Mitchell | USA TODAY Sports

Following Steve Clinkscale’s departure for the University of Michigan, Mark Stoops is looking for a new defensive backs coach to help develop the Wildcats’ secondary alongside Frank Buffano. Every time Stoops has needed to fill a coaching vacancy in the secondary, one of his former players has come to mind, Ed Reed.

A Hall of Fame safety and Super Bowl Champion for the Baltimore Ravens, Stoops was Reed’s position coach at the University of Miami. The two have remained close over the years. Reed even attended a game at Rupp Arena back in 2017.

Is there a chance the former pupil could help out his old coach? It’s highly unlikely for a variety of reasons.

Recruiting 

Coach Clink played a significant role in developing UK’s pass defense into the best in the SEC over the last two seasons. More importantly, Clinkscale was one of the top recruiters on Stoops’ staff, setting up a pipeline in Michigan that brought in some of the highest-ranked recruits in school history, namely Marquan McCall and Justin Rogers. In total Clinkscale contributed to more than 20 UK signees over the last five seasons.

Kentucky’s next defensive backs coach needs to bring a recruiting resume to the interview. That’s something Reed has never done before. To be frank, it’s probably not something he’d ever be interested in, as Stoops alluded to in an interview with KSR back in 2017.

“Well, let me just say this,” Stoops said when asked about the possibility. “He played for, what, 13 years? Nine-time Pro Bowler. I think, first-ballot Hall of Famer. And he’s a remarkable guy. He did coach for one year. I don’t think he had the greatest experience right when he got done. I’m not sure he’s ready to jump back into it.”

Previous Experience 

Reed is one of the best safeties to ever play the game of football. His coaching experience, however, would be best described as “limited.” He spent one season on Rex Ryan’s staff with the Buffalo Bills, a job that does not include recruiting, that ended with Ryan’s termination.

A Cushy Gig 

Even though he has never recruited, you’re probably screaming in the back of your head, “But Roush, who wouldn’t want to play for Ed Reed?” Even if aspiring college athletes want to hop on board, they can still get the Ed Reed experience without forcing the man who made more than $51 million over 11 years to travel across the country to sit in living rooms with teenagers and their families.

Last year Reed was hired by his alma mater to serve as the Hurricanes’ chief of staff. In that role Reed does not have defined responsibilities. He simply acts as a floater, providing inspiration when players need a pick-me-up and insight to an “encyclopedia of knowledge,” as Manny Diaz described it, whenever examining scheme on film.

Reed has it made in Miami. He’s not going anywhere anytime soon.