Scott Shafer has made the final addition to his coaching staff, hiring Fred Reed as defensive backs coach, SU Athletics announced in a press release Monday.

Reed replaces Donnie Henderson, who left with former head coach Doug Marrone to the Buffalo Bills after just one year as defensive backs coach at Syracuse.

Reed brings 12 years of experience coaching defensive backs to the Orange, most recently as the cornerbacks and punt return coach at Ohio, where he spent three seasons. Prior to joining the Bobcats, Reed spent two seasons working with defensive backs at Buffalo, including one as the defensive coordinator. At both stops, Reed helped guide his team to conference championships.

Reed also spent two season in the NFL as a defensive assistant for the Detroit Lions.

“Fred has had great success at each of his coaching stops, including winning championships at Buffalo and Ohio,” Shafer said in the press release. “He brings a great resume to our program as a coach and as a recruiter in the areas we need to win. He has a great command in the secondary room and great ties in the hotbeds of recruiting.”

Reed inherits an experienced group of defensive backs—strong safety Shamarko Thomas is the only starter Syracuse loses in its secondary. Wayne Morgan, Brandon Reddish, Keon Lyn and Ri’shard Anderson figure to make up the group of cornerbacks.

The safeties are a bit more of a question mark with Thomas’ departure, but free safety Jeremi Wilkes and strong safeties Durell Eskridge and Ritchy Desir give the Orange some experience there, as well.

Reed will be immediately tested upon his arrival in the Atlantic Coast Conference. SU opens up conference play Oct. 5 in the Carrier Dome against Clemson’s high-powered aerial attack led by star wide receiver Sammy Watkins and quarterback Tajh Boyd.

“I am appreciative of the opportunity Coach Shafer has given me to be a part of this staff during this exciting time for Syracuse Football,” Reed said in the press release. “I look forward to the challenge of competing in the ACC and helping the young men in the defensive secondary to reach their potential as an athlete and a student.”

Published on March 11, 2013 at 2:57 pm

Contact David: dbwilson@syr.edu | @DBWilson2