SINCE 1989, the Reed family has influenced Franklin County youth through their involvement in coaching sports. That was the year Charles “Tiki” Reed Sr. began coaching pee-wee football. At that time, Charles’s son, Chuck Reed, was 14 years old and recalled his father always loving the game. Chuck saw his younger brothers play for his father’s team and develop their own love for football. Chuck loved the game but never really had it in his mind to become a coach. “I usually say I started coaching at age 11. In my neighborhood, all the kids used to get together and organize a game, and it would end up being girls versus boys. I love challenges. I always volunteered to coach the girls. We used to beat the boys pretty badly, too,” Chuck described with a laugh.
Chuck played football at Huntland High School. He began his high school football career in the eighth grade and became a record-setting linebacker at Huntland. In addition to football, Chuck also participated in baseball and was invited to All-State. After an impressive high school sports career, Chuck graduated and decided to spend some time in the U.S. Navy. In 2007 he returned to Franklin County and entered a new career in coaching alongside his younger brother at South Middle School. Chuck served as the assistant football coach at South Middle School for a few years before moving on to aid his father in coaching the pee-wee players for two to three years. When his brother got an opportunity to become a Franklin County High School football coach, Chuck joined his coaching staff as the defensive coordinator. In his first season at Franklin County in 2011, their team ended with five wins and three losses. The following year, they celebrated an 8-0 season. “It was challenging to get to know all the athletes and gain their trust,” Chuck recalled.
After spending a few years in the defensive coordinator role at Franklin County High School, Chuck struck out on a new journey. He developed a children’s program to build up young athletes’ speed and agility in all sports. Chuck nurtured this new business before returning to Franklin County for one season in 2017 to help build that program back up. From 2018-2021 Chuck continued to work with young athletes to help them develop the skills needed to be competitive in various sports. In 2021 Chuck accepted a position with North Middle School as the head coach for track and football, where he is currently guiding student-athletes in the community and sharing his knowledge and experience.
The Reed family has a well-established athletic legacy in Franklin County. Chuck’s brother has college football experience and also has experience in coaching student-athletes. His children compete as student-athletes as well. Chuck Reed’s children have excelled at football and track. Franklin County has been home to this family of athletes and coaches for generations. He has dedicated his career to mentoring our community’s student-athletes. So far, there have been three generations of Reeds who have pursued coaching. They have coached players who have moved beyond being student-athletes and returned to the community to mentor athletes themselves.
Coaching young athletes involves mentorship and guidance outside of sporting activities. Coaches are responsible for reinforcing the values and lessons these athletes receive in the classroom. Chuck Reed has found himself in this vital position. Although it wasn’t what he had in mind initially, he has gained many years of experience working with young people pursuing their athletic dreams. Chuck and his family continue to leave their mark on this community and provide outlets for students to participate and compete in athletics. GN
