Miami football deserves praise for hiring Ed Reed as Chief of Staff

The Miami football program continued what has been a stellar offseason with the announcement on Thursday that Pro Football Hall of Fame Safety and Hurricanes alum Ed Reed has been hired as Chief of Staff.

The Miami football program has earned a lot of credibility late on Thursday afternoon with the announcement that Pro Football Hall of Fame safety and Hurricanes alum Ed Reed has joined the program as Chief of Staff. Reed joins the Hurricanes after Alonzo Highsmith had been considered earlier.

Highsmith was mostly a pipe dream top be hired as the Chief of Staff for the Miami football program. He was previously the vice president of player personnel for the Cleveland Browns before being let go this week. Reed has one year of experience as the assistant defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills in 2016.

The addition of Reed as the Chief of Staff for the Miami football program was announced less than 24 hours after he participated in the ReUnion roundtable on the state of Hurricanes football streamed by Fox Sports from South Beach. Former linebacker Ray Lewis and wide receivers Reggie Wayne and Michael Irvin participated.

Jimmy Johnson who was the Hurricanes head coach from 1984-88 and won the 1987 National Championship made a surprise appearance. An official announcement was made by the Miami football program in a release on Thursday afternoon. Head coach Manny Diaz took a more simple approach.

Reed returns to Miami where he had a legendary collegiate career. The Louisiana native was a two-time first-team all-American and member of what most experts consider the best team in college football history the 2001 national champions. Reed went on to a Hall of Fame career and won a super bowl with the Baltimore Ravens.

"“We are thrilled to welcome Ed back to Coral Gables…He is not only one of the most decorated players in Miami football history but also a devoted Cane who cares deeply about this program. All of our players, coaches and staff will be fortunate to tap into his experience, knowledge and passion on a regular basis.”"

Reed’s return comes on the heels of the roundtable that demonstrated the concern that the five legends who appeared in the ReUnion have for the Miami football program. Three different eras for the Hurricanes were represented among the five legends. Reed will be a perfect fit for the Hurricanes as Diaz stated above.

Reed brings the eye of a College Football National Champion and Superbowl titlist to the Miami football program. He cares deeply about the Miami Hurricanes as illustrated during Wednesday night’s roundtable. Reed will help Diaz to change the culture in the Miami locker room. Reed discussed that in the roundtable.

"“It was that accountability in the locker room first. You wouldn’t make it out that locker room if you didn’t do the right thing. When I was there, them lights would go off, you’d hear that, Whoa.’ You’d hear that noise you heard when we played against Florida down there…but for me, man, I wanted to uphold that legacy…I would’ve never won this national championship for the school, for the team, with the team, so that accountability starts in the locker room. It wasn’t the coaches policing us. They didn’t have to, but they did their job and we had to listen…You have to be coachable.These youngsters today think just because you go to Miami these teams are going to lay down. No! They hate you. They don’t like you. We knew everybody, every game was a national-championship game.”"

The resume that Reed brings to Miami is exceptional. Diaz and athletic director Blake James should be praised for making it happen to bring Reed back to the U. Highsmith was not likely to happen. He was extremely overqualified to be the Chief of Staff and the General Manager position doesn’t exist in college football.

Part of Reed’s responsibilities include “strategic planning, quality control, operations, player evaluation and player development. Reed will also provide assistance in team building, student-athlete mentorship and recruiting, as permissible under NCAA rules.”  Reed is not likely to be an on-field coach or off site-recruiter.