University of Richmond Athletics
Jim Reid Resigns As Football Coach
02/14/2004 | Football
 Click here to listen to Saturday afternoon's Jim Reid farewell press conference | | | | ||
Feb. 14, 2004
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The University of Richmond department of athletics announced today that Jim Reid has resigned after nine years as head coach of the football program.
After spending 11 years on the Richmond campus, including two as an assistant coach, Reid has accepted a position at Syracuse University as the defensive line coach for Paul Pasqualoni, who is entering his 12th year at the Orangeman helm.
"My family and I have been blessed with our experience at Richmond," Reid said. "Frankly put, we love Richmond, the University and the community. I would like to thank the great players that have propelled Richmond football to the only nine- and 10-win seasons, while maintaining a 90+-percent graduation rate. I love them for their dedication.
"I would be remise if I didn't thank the faculty for enhancing my wonderful years here. I have had a wonderful relationship with the staff, most especially the dining hall and public safety departments. This University is a marvelous institution."
"Jim Reid is a man everyone would want their son to play for," Jim Miller, Richmond's Director of Athletics, said. "We appreciate the hard work and time he dedicated to improving the lives of every student-athlete he coached at Richmond. Not only did the Spider football program experience success on the field, but his student-athletes learned the value of a quality education."
Reid led Richmond to 48 wins during his tenure; the third most of any Spider coach, and posted three of the top 12 records in 122 years of program history. He guided his squad to Atlantic 10 Championships and I-AA playoff appearances in 1998 and 2000.
A three-time conference coach of the year, Reid's best season came in 2000 when Richmond established a program mark with 10 wins, including a 10-3 victory against Youngstown State in the I-AA playoff's first round. More than 60 student-athletes earned All-Atlantic 10 honors during his tenure.
In addition to his success on the field, Reid displayed an intense devotion to improving his student-athletes' collegiate experience and preparing them for life after football. The Spiders are consistently ranked among the nation's elite in graduation rate, with more than 30 student-athletes have earned All-Academic honors.
Reid also spent numerous hours building relationships in the community. Through his efforts, Richmond football has aligned itself with organizations such as Special Olympics, Richmond Boys and Girls Club and many others.
Seven of Reid's former stars are currently playing professional football. Shawn Barber (Kansas City Chiefs), Paris Lenon (Green Bay Packers) and Muneer Moore (New York Jets) are with NFL teams, while Adrian Archie, Marc Megna, Mark Thompson (Montreal Alouettes) and Winston October (Edmonton Eskimos) are playing in the Canadian Football League.
