Braves hire new baseball coach

Ottawa University’s new baseball coach Joe Reed has a wide background in coaching.

 Reed is completing his fourth year as general manager of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes National Baseball Ministry, a highly competitive summer baseball program headquartered in Kansas City, Mo.  

He performed numerous duties for FCA, which included athletic director, coach, sports information director, Web site manager, compliance director, recruiting coordinator, game day and events promotion manager, player development, and scouting.

 “Joe Reed brings great coaching knowledge and experience, as well as, exceptional leadership qualities to the baseball program here at Ottawa University,” Ottawa Athletics Director Arabie Conner said. “Coach Reed’s commitment and ability to develop student-athletes who will excel both on and off the field was clearly evident during the search process.”

Reed takes over the Braves baseball program from Jarrod Titus, who was fired April 11 after 14 years because of an hazing incident.

Before joining FCA, Reed developed a well-rounded coaching background including three years as the head baseball coach at Asbury College, a NAIA school in Wilmore, Kent.  While at Asbury, team grade point average, class attendance and recruiting were at all-time highs.  

Reed then served as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Transylvannia University, an NCAA III school in Lexington, Kent.

Reed offered private baseball instruction throughout his career and has coached at least 20 players that have either been drafted by Major League teams or signed independent professional contracts.

“I have no doubt that coach Reed will run a high class program which will be successful in every aspect of baseball, the campus and the community,” Conner said. “As a proven team player and outstanding communicator, I expect him to make an immediate positive impact and I’m excited to welcome him to our staff and campus.”

Reed spent his collegiate playing career at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo., where he was a pitcher from 1992 to 1996.

He graduated with a degree in exercise science with an emphasis in athletic training.

He was a four-year starter and helped lead the Cardinals to the 1994 Heart of America Athletic Conference championship.

He also holds the school record for most pickoffs in a season with 14.  

Following graduation, he accepted a position at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo., where he served as an assistant baseball coach and helped the Lions to two straight 40-win seasons.

At Lindenwood, he served as assistant pitching coach, assistant recruiting coordinator and athletic trainer.

Reed is working on his master’s degree in Sports Management at the University of Central Missouri.

“I’m excited to welcome coach Reed to our university community ... his personality, character, and experience will be an outstanding addition to our staff,” Ottawa Assistant Athletic Director Bruce Tate said. “Coach Reed’s vision and expectations for the baseball program fits the philosophy of NAIA baseball ... we expect he will make an immediate impact on and off the field.”

Reed and his wife, Vonny, have a four-year-old son, Caleb.