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Rod Reed, a former All-America linebacker at Tennessee State, has returned to his alma mater as defensive coordinator, one of three new additions James Reese announced to his coaching staff this week.
The new coaches replace former defensive coordinator Andre Creamer, linebackers coach Tom Lavigne, assistant head coach Ray Bonner and running backs coach Chris Norris ? all of whom were fired in the wake of the Tigers' 2-10 finish last fall.
Reese expects to name a fourth assistant within the next couple of weeks.
''It's part of the business,'' Reese said of the coaching changes. ''Sometimes you have to do things that are considered to be best for the program. I think we've made some good moves.''
Reed spent the previous season as defensive coordinator at East Texas Baptist College in his hometown of Marshall. He will be joined on that side of the ball by former Eastern Illinois assistant Tony Turner, who will coach defensive backs, and Bill Khayat, who had served as TSU's tight ends coach for three seasons on a part-time basis. Khayat has been elevated to full-time status and will coach defensive tackles.
''Khayat has been a loyal and dedicated worker. He has a very good knowledge of the game on both sides of the ball,'' Reese said of the former Duke tight end, whose father, Eddie, was the first coach of the Nashville Kats arena football team, which now plays in Atlanta. ''I think he'll be a help to us on that side.
''Turner is a hard worker, a hard recruiter. He has a good know-ledge of the conference, which comes in handy. I think he'll be a strong addition.''
Turner had worked with the defensive line at Eastern Illinois but played defensive back on Murray State's 1995 and '96 Ohio Valley Conference championship teams. He previously coached at Fayetteville (N.C.) State and Central Arkansas.
Reed, a member of TSU's undefeated 1984 team, set the school record for career tackles and earned All-America recognition from the Sheridan Network in 1986. He has made previous coaching stops at Prairie View and Bethune-Cookman, along with Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach, Fla.
''We had talked on a couple of occasions, but it wasn't feasible for me to come back,'' said Reed, who also will coach linebackers. ''This just happened to be the right time for me.
''I think the [defense's] intensity level will be higher. Pursuit to the ball will be strongly emphasized, and attention to detail.''
Reed becomes the third TSU alumnus on the coaching staff, joining Reese and receivers coach Anthony Owens.
''I thought that was important,'' Reese said. ''This is a guy that has the best interests of the school at heart. He loves Tennessee State, really believes in the tradition. You're bringing a guy back that has a connection with the program and is a good fit for us as a staff.''
The new coaches replace former defensive coordinator Andre Creamer, linebackers coach Tom Lavigne, assistant head coach Ray Bonner and running backs coach Chris Norris ? all of whom were fired in the wake of the Tigers' 2-10 finish last fall.
Reese expects to name a fourth assistant within the next couple of weeks.
''It's part of the business,'' Reese said of the coaching changes. ''Sometimes you have to do things that are considered to be best for the program. I think we've made some good moves.''
Reed spent the previous season as defensive coordinator at East Texas Baptist College in his hometown of Marshall. He will be joined on that side of the ball by former Eastern Illinois assistant Tony Turner, who will coach defensive backs, and Bill Khayat, who had served as TSU's tight ends coach for three seasons on a part-time basis. Khayat has been elevated to full-time status and will coach defensive tackles.
''Khayat has been a loyal and dedicated worker. He has a very good knowledge of the game on both sides of the ball,'' Reese said of the former Duke tight end, whose father, Eddie, was the first coach of the Nashville Kats arena football team, which now plays in Atlanta. ''I think he'll be a help to us on that side.
''Turner is a hard worker, a hard recruiter. He has a good know-ledge of the conference, which comes in handy. I think he'll be a strong addition.''
Turner had worked with the defensive line at Eastern Illinois but played defensive back on Murray State's 1995 and '96 Ohio Valley Conference championship teams. He previously coached at Fayetteville (N.C.) State and Central Arkansas.
Reed, a member of TSU's undefeated 1984 team, set the school record for career tackles and earned All-America recognition from the Sheridan Network in 1986. He has made previous coaching stops at Prairie View and Bethune-Cookman, along with Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach, Fla.
''We had talked on a couple of occasions, but it wasn't feasible for me to come back,'' said Reed, who also will coach linebackers. ''This just happened to be the right time for me.
''I think the [defense's] intensity level will be higher. Pursuit to the ball will be strongly emphasized, and attention to detail.''
Reed becomes the third TSU alumnus on the coaching staff, joining Reese and receivers coach Anthony Owens.
''I thought that was important,'' Reese said. ''This is a guy that has the best interests of the school at heart. He loves Tennessee State, really believes in the tradition. You're bringing a guy back that has a connection with the program and is a good fit for us as a staff.''
