[6] After the 1981 season, Reed accepted the head coaching position at NC State and was replaced by Tim Rose.
[8] During his tenure with the Wolfpack, Reed raised the school's recruiting to a national level and ameliorated the team's academic standing within the institution.
[6] He also feuded with Bruce Poulton – the university's chancellor at the time – over freshman athletic eligibility,[9] as well as over the school administration's support for the team.
[1] However, he pre-empted this by resigning suddenly on December 13, 1985, after losing to North Carolina in the final game of the regular season.
[1] After retiring from coaching, Reed returned to the Research Triangle and managed an executive-search consultant business that he established.