Medford Native Named BC’s New Defensive Coordinator

Jim Reid returns to The Heights after helping Iowa to a 12-0 regular season

Jim Reid will be Boston College’s defensive coordinator and coach linebackers, head coach Steve Addazio announced on Wednesday. Reid brings more than 40 years of coaching experience to The Heights. He most recently finished a three-year stint as Iowa’s linebackers coach.

“I have known Jim Reid for a long time and have tremendous respect for the work he’s done as a head coach, a coordinator and in the NFL. He is an impact coach who has left an indelible mark everywhere he has been,” Addazio said. “He is an extremely high-energy guy with a tremendous passion for the game of football. His experience in the Northeast, at Boston College and with many people on our staff makes him an invaluable addition. He has a great ability to develop and lead players and will be an integral part in the progression of our program.”

The Medford, Mass., native is returning to a role he occupied once before. Reid was the defensive coordinator for the Eagles under Dan Henning in 1994. BC went 7-4-1 and ranked 11th in the nation, defeated Kansas State in the Aloha Bowl on Christmas Day. The Eagles recorded 47 sacks that season, a school record that still stands today.

“First, I would like to thank Kirk Ferentz for the opportunity to work at Iowa; it was an honor to work with so many great players, fans and staff. I have great confidence in Steve Addazio’s leadership and the direction his program is headed,” Reid said. “Boston College is a very special place; I know this because I worked there in 1994 around some dedicated, wonderful people in a very close-knit Jesuit community. BC develops great young people and is just a tremendous institution.”

In 2015, the Hawkeyes ranked 22nd in the nation in total defense, allowing 341.0 yards/game and 15th in rush defense as opponents averaged 121.4 yards/game. Iowa won its first 12 games – and earned the No. 4 spot in the College Football Playoff poll – before falling in the Big Ten Championship. In 2014, the Hawkeyes ranked seventh in pass defense and in 2013, Reid was named one of FootbalScoop’s national Linebackers Coaches of the Year.

“Jim Reid has played a key role in our success in his three years on our staff, and we wish him continued success at Boston College,” Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said. “Jim is a tireless worker who builds strong relationships with his players and his fellow coaches. He has been a very valuable member of our staff and his contributions to the program go beyond the playing field.”

Reid, who was a three-year starting safety at Maine (1970-72), has been a head coach at the collegiate level three times, totaling 17 seasons. He served as the head coach at Virginia Military Institute (2006-07), Richmond (1995-2003) and Massachusetts (1986-91). He guided the Minutemen to three Yankee Conference titles and was named the Yankee Conference Coach of the Year in 1988 and 1990.

While in Amherst, Reid coached current BC defensive line coach Ben Albert in 1990 and 1991. Albert went on to coach with Reid at Richmond (1997-2000). Tight ends coach Frank Leonard was also on Reid’s Richmond staff (1995-2003), serving as the offensive coordinator in 2003.

While the head coach at Richmond, the Spiders won the Atlantic 10 Conference championship twice and finished in the FCS top 20 five times. Reid was named the A-10 Coach of the Year in 1998 and 2000 and the Yankee Conference Co-Coach of the Year in 1995. He also led Richmond to its first 10-win season in program history in 2000.

Before arriving in Iowa City, Reid was the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Virginia for three seasons (2010-12). In 2011, the Cavaliers finished third in the Atlantic Coast Conference in total defense and in 2012, they ranked fourth.

Reid also brings professional experience to BC as he coached the outside linebackers for the Miami Dolphins in 2008 and 2009. In his first season, Joey Porter recorded a career-high 17.5 sacks, second in the NFL that year, and Miami won the AFC East Division Championship for the first time in eight seasons. Porter’s mark was also the most sacks by a Dolphins linebacker and third-most overall.

Reid earned his bachelor of science in education from Maine in 1973 and went on to earn a master of science in sport management from Massachusetts in 1975. He and his wife, Judy, have two daughters, Meghan and Molly, and a son, Matt, and four grandchildren.

– Information from BC Football