Joshua Reed brings a wealth of experience, passion, and a winning mentality to Harris-Stowe State University as the Head Coach of the Men’s and Women’s Track & Field programs. His journey began as a standout athlete at Wingfield High School, where he lettered in basketball and track, finishing second in the state of Mississippi and earning a ranking of 10th in the nation for high jump in 2012. Reed is a two-time USATF National Junior Olympics qualifier, finishing 12th overall in the 2012 New Balance National Championships.
Earning a Division I scholarship to the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Reed was a member of the 2012-13 track and field team. Despite an injury, he completed his freshman indoor season before transferring to Belhaven University, becoming the first-ever track & field signee in school history. As a sophomore, Reed established school records in both the high jump and 200-meter events. He qualified for the NAIA National Championships in high jump, posting an impressive 6’8” (2.03m) jump at the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) Championships and 6'7" (2.01m) at the NAIA National Outdoor Championships.
Reed’s success continued as he broke more school records and qualified for the 2015 NAIA Indoor National Championships, finishing 15th overall. That same year, he qualified for the NAIA Outdoor Championships, finishing 16th. As a two-time SSAC All-Conference athlete and a five-time SSAC high jump champion, Reed cemented his status as a top collegiate athlete. In 2016, he was named an NCCAA All-American after finishing second in both the Indoor and Outdoor National Championships, with a personal best jump of 6'10.75" (2.10m).
After graduating in 2016, Reed’s coaching career took off in New Orleans. He immediately made an impact, coaching middle school and high school basketball & track teams to multiple championships during his first year at KIPP Renaissance High School. He led both boys' and girls' teams to district track & field titles.
In 2021, Reed moved to the Midwest, where he continued to build his coaching resume. At Holt High School, he led two successful JV basketball seasons and coached middle school track teams to an undefeated season in the 4x100 relay. He was later promoted to Holt High School Head Sprints Coach, where he led the 4x100 relay team to a GAC conference championship in 2023.
Alongside his coaching at Holt, Reed and his wife, Nataliyah Reed (Friar), a former Louisiana State University long and triple jumper, multiple SEC and D1 All-American, co-founded Kersh Strong Elite Sports Academy in the summer of 2022. Together, they have coached over 40 AAU/USATF National qualifiers, and 5 All Americans. In 2024, they expanded their academy to New Orleans, producing 13 national qualifiers in their first year.
Now at Harris-Stowe State University, Coach Reed is eager to bring his extensive experience and winning culture to the track & field program. “I am pleased and honored to be here. It’s time to take it up a notch and put Harris-Stowe State University’s track & field program on the map for good,” says Reed.
With his proven track record of success, Coach Reed is poised to lead Harris-Stowe’s men’s and women’s track & field teams to new heights.
