Ed Reed is out as coach at Bethune-Cookman University just 25 days after he was hired to lead the football program.
The former NFL star announced on Saturday, via Twitter, that he and the university could not come to a contract agreement.
“Bethune-Cookman University has been working with my legal team to craft contract terms with the language and resources we knew were needed to build a successful football program,” Reed said in a statement. “It’s my desire to not only coach football, but to be an agent of change that most people just talk about being. However, after weeks of negotiations I’ve been informed that the University won’t be ratifying my contract and won’t make good on the agreement we had in principle, which had provisions and resources best needed to support the student athletes.
Reed expressed his disappointment in not going forward with the position.
“I was committed to coaching and cultivating a relationship with the University, Players, Community and the Fans,” he said. “It’s extremely disappointing this won’t be happening.”
Reed also took to Instagram to share a passionate video of him speaking with players about his departure. He revealed that he did not want to leave the position but is being “forced” out by the administration and the athletic director, Reggie Theus.
“I don’t want to leave…but there are some corrupt people in this world, some evil people that don’t care about kids like I do,” Reed said in the video.
“My vision for change is probably moving too fast for a lot of people. I’m not withdrawing my name…they don’t want me here, they do not want me here because I tell the truth,” he said.
Reed’s departure comes after he went live on Instagram last week to criticize the conditions at B-CU and in his office. Reed later issued an apology for his comments saying that he fell victim “while engaging with antagonists on social media,” and that his passion got the better of him.
On Saturday, the school released a statement announcing that they are conducting a national search to find a permanent replacement.
The Bethune-Cookman official press release:
Bethune-Cookman has announced that it has decided not to proceed with contract negotiations with Ed Reed to become the next head football coach at B-CU.
After undergoing a detailed assessment and review of the state of our football program, we have determined that it is in the best interest of our university, athletics program, and football student-athletes to reopen the search and identify the next leader of Bethune-Cookman Wildcats Football.
Bethune-Cookman University was founded with core guiding principles centered around integrity, accountability, and mutual respect for others. These guiding principles have and will continue to weigh heavily on all decisions made that impact our university.
While we appreciated the initial interest in our football program displayed by Mr. Reed during the course of recent weeks, we are also mindful of the qualities and attributes that must be exhibited by our institutional personnel during what has been uniquely challenging times for our campus as we recover from the impact of two hurricanes during this past fall semester.
We remain steadfast and committed to building a championship caliber football program that excels on the field, inside the classroom, and within our local community.
Our university community has placed the upmost trust and faith in us to continue to advance our institution and we will continue to strive to live up to the high standards that have been set for all individuals affiliated with our illustrious university.
A national search to fill the football head coach position at B-CU has resumed as the university seeks to identify a permanent replacement in the coming days.
