Ed Reed was a native of Mississippi and attended Bonneville High School in the Magnolia State. He was born in 1929 and was a standout football player in high school. He was a four-year letterman in football and basketball.

Reed also earned four letters in football at Delta State before graduating in 1952. Reed began his coaching career at West Point High School in Mississippi.

After a two year stint at West Point, he coached at Rolling Fork High (1954-57), Lumberton High (1957-64), Provine High in Jackson (1964-67), Picayune High (1967-69), Natchez Adams (1969-74) and South Natchez High (1979-82).

His South Natchez team won State Championships in 1980 and 1981, The last team finished 14-0. From 1974-1979, Reed served as principle at South Natchez.

When he returned to coaching in 1979 he also served as the Athletic Director for the Natchez School System.

During his time at Lumberton his teams only lost four regular season games in five seasons. He also coached baseball and basketball. Reed was named coach of the year numerous times in Mississippi.

In 1982 he accepted the head football coaching job at Central High School in Tuscaloosa and brought his talents to Alabama. Over the next 10 seasons his teams finished a combined 82-29-1. His 1991 squad reached the State Championship game before falling short of winning a title for their coach in Alabama.

His coaching record in Mississippi was 194-58-2. His overall record in both states is 276-97-3.

Reed was inducted into the Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame in 1983.