Eastern Michigan football assistant coach Fred Reed has died at age 54, the school announced on Sunday afternoon.
Reed, EMU’s defensive passing game coordinator and safeties coach, had seven seasons at the school under head coach Chris Creighton, part of a 27-year coaching career.
"Please keep Coach Reed's family in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time," Creighton said in a release. "It is impossible to capture what he means to all of us right now."
The Eagles’ passing defense was the best in the Mid-American Conference last season, allowing just 150.2 passing yards per game.