Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed has agreed in principle to take over the Bethune-Cookman football program as head coach, the school announced Tuesday.

Reed is widely regarded as one of the best safeties in the league during his time with the Baltimore Ravens. He led the NFL in interceptions three times, won defensive player of the year in 2004, and won a Super Bowl with the Ravens.

His coaching experience consists of spending the past three seasons in a support staff role at his alma mater, Miami, most recently as a senior football adviser. Before his time on the Miami staff, Reed was an assistant defensive backs coach with the Buffalo Bills in 2016.

Bethune-Cookman’s hiring of Reed follows the trend of well-known former NFL players committing to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Reed’s new appointment follows in the footsteps of Deion Sanders at Jackson State and Eddie George at Tennessee State. According to HBCU Legends, Jackson State offered Reed the head coach position, but he decided not to accept. 

Reed replaces Terry Sims, who was let go in November after seven seasons.

The Wildcats did not play in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, moved to the SWAC for 2021, and went 2-9 in 2022 and 2-6 in SWAC competition.

Bethune-Cookman is expected to release more information soon.