After a national search, Lamar Reed has been named the new women's wrestling head coach at Maine Maritime Academy, effective on November 11, 2024.
"Coach Reed is going to be a tremendous addition to our staff. His enthusiasm and passion for growing the sport, his expertise on the mat, and his desire to contribute to the department's continued success made him the perfect choice to lead our program into the future," commented Peed.
Maine Maritime associate athletics director and Senior Woman Administrator Tricia Carver added, "Coach Reed's excitement for teaching and coaching is palpable as is his passion for student-athlete development. His mission to grow an exemplary program for women's wrestlers is clear, focused and contagious. I believe Coach Reed will be an energy-giving teammate for us here in Mariners Athletics."
Reed comes to Maine Maritime after helping build the women's wrestling program at NCAA Division II Bluefield (W.Va.) State University, a historically Black institution founded in 1895 and a member of the Conference Carolinas. The Great Danes posted a 4-5 record and had three regional placers.
"I am honored and excited to join the Mariner Family! I believe the resources and support they provide student-athletes will help grow women's wrestling as well as set the young ladies in our program up for a successful life after their collegiate competition," stated Reed. "The beautiful view of the coast of Maine was the cherry on top in accepting this position."
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"I plan to build a culture of maximum effort both on and off the mat," Reed continued. "We want young ladies that thrive to be successful and maximize their potential in everything they do. We plan to have a lot of fun chasing greatness and making history" as Maine Maritime competes in its first NCAA Division III varsity season.
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He also coached at Stoneridge High School in Merced, Calif., where he was the boys' wrestling coach from 2022 to 2023. The team placed third in its first season in the Southern Athletic as every athlete placed in the league championships.
A former collegiate All-American, Reed got his start in coaching as the head wrestling coach and gameplan/fighter development for professional mixed martial arts fighters in Oakdale, Calif., from 2012-23. Concurrently, he also served as a personal trainer for Strong First Strength (SFG).
An Oakland, Calif., native, and Crespi Carmelite High School graduate, Reed earned his bachelor of science in business administration and management from California Baptist University in 2009. He was a member of the school's inaugural men's wrestling team, becoming the program's first two-time NAIA All-American. As a senior, he took fourth place (6-2 record) at the NAIA National Championships and posted the most wins in a single-season in school history (24-15). He notched the second-most pins on the team with seven and takedowns with 57, and compiled a 17-10 record at 165 pounds, 5-5 at 157 and 2-0 at 174. At the NAIAs, he defeated three ranked opponents at No. 1, No. 4 and No. 8.
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Reed started his collegiate career at NAIA power Northwestern (Iowa), where he was selected All-Great Plains Athletic Conference and all-region during a two-year span. He also was a NAIA qualifier for the Raiders. He ended up with more than 100 victories at the collegiate level.
He competed at Team USA wrestling events, earning Greco-Roman All-American as well as Greco-Roman and freestyle California state champion status. His other accolades include IBJJF Brazillian Jui-Jitsu (BJJ) No-Gi world champion and a professional MMA fighter regional title winner, ranking as high as the top- 5 in the state.
