TYLER, TEXAS – After an illustrious career leading UT Tyler softball, head coach Mike Reed will move from coaching into full-time athletics administration, effective immediately.
 
Reed will serve as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations, a position he started last year in addition to coaching responsibilities. In this role, Reed will be responsible for strategic planning and operational efficiency to ensure the coaches and student-athletes have the support they need to succeed.
 
"After 22 years as the Head Softball Coach at UT Tyler—and more than 25 years coaching college softball—I will be retiring from coaching," Reed said. "Since I was 25 years old, I have poured everything I had into the student-athletes at the two universities I have been so honored to serve.
 
This past fall has brought personal challenges with the passing of my brother in October. He was a tremendous source of strength and a devoted caregiver for our father and late mother throughout my career. It is now time for me to step back from the role of coach and be more present in the role of son."
 
Assistant Coach Jason Miller will become the interim head coach for the 2026 season, and a national search for the next full-time coach will take place at season's end.
 
"I am incredibly grateful for Coach Reed and all that he has meant to our softball program," said Director of Athletics Dr. Sam Ferguson. "His coaching record speaks for itself, but even more impressive is the lasting impact he has made in the lives of the young people he has led—an impact that is truly unmatched. While we will miss watching him wave runners home from the third-base coaching box, I appreciate his perspective and reasoning in making this transition. I am also thankful for the significant value he will bring to our department in his administrative role. Coach Reed has fully embraced the vision of our department, and I am excited to continue working alongside him as we work to bring that vision to life."
 
Reed has been the only coach in UT Tyler softball program history since the program's founding in 2003, building the program from day one into a national powerhouse with three national championships, including each of the last two seasons at the Division II level. Prior to his time with the Patriots, he was the head coach at East Texas Baptist, leading the program to two NCAA Tournament appearances from 2001 to 2003 and three straight ASC Tournament Championships.
 
He has posted a career record of 985-187 (880-156 at UT Tyler) for a winning percentage of 84%, the highest winning percentage in NCAA softball history, regardless of division. He and his coaching staffs have earned three ATEC/NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year awards, along with 11 regional staff of the year awards.
 
In his time with UT Tyler, the Patriots earned 10 combined ASC Regular Season and Tournament Championships, five straight LSC Regular Season Championships, one LSC Tournament Championship, 11 NCAA Division III Tournament appearances, four straight NCAA South Central Region Championships, one NCAA Division III National Championship (2016), and two NCAA Division II National Championships (2024, 2025).
 
Reed was recently inducted into the NFCA Hall of Fame in December and is also a member of the ETBU Hall of Fame (2024).
 
"I am deeply grateful to every student-athlete I have coached and to every coach I have had the privilege of working alongside," Reed said. "I want to especially thank our Associate Head Coach, Coach (Whitney) Wyly, for her years of hard work, loyalty, and dedication. I am incredibly proud of the people who have come through this program since we started it in 2003, and proud of all we have accomplished together. I am even more proud to see what our alumni have become—teachers, coaches, physical therapists, police officers, and so much more.
I am excited and thankful to Dr. Ferguson and our president Dr. Julie Philley for allowing me to continue serving all UT Tyler student-athletes in my current role as Senior Associate Athletic Director. I look forward to supporting Coach Miller and Coach Wyly, the softball program, and the entire department in the years ahead. Patriot softball will be in great hands, and I know the program will continue to achieve at the highest levels.
Thank you to everyone in the big softball family and everyone who has been a part of my coaching journey."
#AHH SWOOP SWOOP