Mar 25, 2020

Coach Reed discusses reasons for leaving CSC for UNC Bears job

Posted Mar 25, 2020 8:34 PM
Houston Reed delivers a message to his team in a game during the 2018-2019 season.
Houston Reed delivers a message to his team in a game during the 2018-2019 season.

Coach Reed discusses reasons for leaving CSC for UNC Bears job

By: Dave Collins, Eagle Radio Chadron Sport Director

Chadron State is looking for a new men's basketball head coach after the abrupt resignation of Houston Reed who is headed to Northern Colorado to be an assistant for the Bears.

I caught up with Coach Reed Wednesday to learn more about what went into the decision to leave Chadron State after four years into the process of building his program at The Rock.

You’ve accepted an assistant coaching position at Northern Colorado – What led you to decide now was the time to make the move from Chadron State?

Reed:  "I never had a timeline for leaving Chadron. We were bought in to our mission and building the program. The opportunity at UNC is a unique opportunity for our family and to be able to work with Coach Smiley who has been a day one guy."

Why is this your next step?

Reed:  "Several reasons. It's an opportunity to work with my best friend, former teammate, and elite leader - Steve Smiley. Everybody in the coaching world knows our relationship and how deep it runs. I'm a Colorado native and so is my wife. It's where our children were born, it's where we call home, and gets us closer to family. Lastly, it's an opportunity to coach at the division one level in a program that is at the top of the Big Sky Conference. The kicker is it's all three of these main things combined!"

When do you get started at UNC and how is the coronavirus pandemic impacting the transition, as well as how did it impact what you were doing for CSC over the last month?

Reed: "COVID-19 will hit the history books. With the advancing of technology and access there is to data files it makes working remotely much easier. The largest impact it's having on NCAA athletics right now besides cancellation of spring sports is the recruiting aspect of being able to meet kids, families, and make visits. Without being able to get on the road and evaluate, it really forces you to rely on your relationships, networking and points of contact. At CSC as other institutions, it's making sure your current guys stay on pace academically. I'm happy we were able to get some zoom meetings and face timing done before the change to make sure our guys were set, understood the academic processes, and set some things down for accountability."

You came to CSC from Otero, spent four seasons with the Eagles as a head coach at a higher level – I’m sure you learned a lot about yourself, coaching up the ladder into D2 – what are some of those things and what will you take with you to the DI bench from your time at CSC?

Reed: "Life is about relationships and (understanding) the value of them on a deeper level. Jalen Little, James Heeley, and Taylor Shaffer were assistants that were servant leaders. Not only for me but for CSC and our players. Their loyalty is unmatched. There are great coaches in the RMAC and it was great to learn and grow as a coach in preparing against them night in and out."

As you leave CSC what do you hope your impact was here at The Rock? 

Reed: "Mostly, developing and growing men."