Ed Reed not taking Bethune-Cookman job after deal falls through
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.
Ed Reed was notified by Bethune-Cookman that he will no longer be the Head Coach.
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) January 21, 2023
His response was one of the most impassioned speeches I’ve ever heard & he states @DeionSanders was right. Reed clearly loves these kids.
*Warning* — Language pic.twitter.com/M4scgM8ZR9
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.
Ed Reed complaining about the trash at Bethune Cookman 😳
— Unfiltered Media ™️ (@UnfilteredInd) January 15, 2023
“I’m waking out here with the football team picking up trash. I should leave, I’m not even under contract yet !”
“Theses MFs didn’t even clean my office when I got here !” pic.twitter.com/oiKF8YrHqL
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."
Bethune Cookman HC Ed Reed speaks on HBCUs
— Unfiltered Media ™️ (@UnfilteredInd) January 15, 2023
“Prime was not wrong about what he was saying. All HBCUs need help because of the people who’s running it. Broken mentalities out here” pic.twitter.com/ELDoaVS2L2
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.