Reed takes over as head coach of ABAC softball

TIFTON — Mike Reed has been named as the new head coach for the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College women’s softball team.

Reed, a native of Valdosta, has been an assistant coach for the Fillies for seven seasons and is excited about the new opportunity.

“I love it,” he said. “I’m in this to help shape lives.”

Reed has coached for more than 30 years at the high school and college levels as well as coaching travel ball.

One of the reasons he enjoys coaching so much, he said, is being involved with a generation that he believes “will change the world.”

“I have three priorities with our players,” he said. “First, whatever degree they’re here to try and achieve, my number one responsibility is to help them achieve it. Second is to try to make them better young ladies that are ready for this world, and third is to win ball games. I’ve found that if I take care of one and two, three takes care of itself.”

ABAC Athletics Director Charles Wimberly said Reed’s experience will benefit the program.

“Coach Reed is one of the more respected softball coaches in the state,” Wimberly said. “He knows almost every coach in the state from middle and high school ranks to the college ranks. ABAC is truly blessed to have Coach Reed leading our softball program.”