INDIANAPOLIS – University of Indianapolis Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Sue Willey has announced Jason Reed as the new head coach of the UIndy volleyball program.

"I'm very excited to announce the addition of Jason to our Greyhound family," Dr. Willey said. "His knowledge and enthusiasm for volleyball was evident to everyone he interacted with throughout the interview process. His experience in both Division I and Division II, coupled with the talented student-athletes we have returning and committed, should allow for UIndy Volleyball to not only maintain its stature as one of the top D-II programs in the country, but continue to improve."

"I'm very excited about helping to write the next chapter for UIndy Volleyball," Reed said. "I'd like to thank Dr. Willey for giving me this tremendous opportunity at one of the top volleyball programs in the country.

"I am incredibly impressed with the people at UIndy and how they spent their energy selling the people in the buildings and not the buildings themselves. It's clear to me that the leadership at UIndy, as well as the excellent collection of coaches that I'm joining, is a huge reason for the success of not only the volleyball program, but for all of the programs at UIndy.

"The foundation that has been laid is solid and the future is bright. This program and these student-athletes have had tremendous success, but it was evident meeting with them that they want to be even better."  

Reed becomes the sixth head coach in program history after spending the last two seasons as the top assistant at NCAA Division I North Dakota State. Reed helped the Bison finish 26-9 in 2011 as they won both the Summit League regular season and tournament championships on the way to playing Minnesota in the NCAA Tournament.

In just two years in Fargo, he helped tutor five players to earn seven spots on the All-Summit League Volleyball Teams, including 2012 AVCA Honorable Mention All-American outside hitter Brynn Joki. In 2012, the Bison also saw Joki named AVCA First Team All-Region and middle hitter Megan Lambertson was an honorable mention selection.

Lambertson finished her career as the all-time leader in hitting percentage (.383) at NDSU, while libero Andrea Henning finished her career second in career digs (1,574) for the Bison.

Before NDSU, Reed was a part of four straight 20-win teams at Western Michigan (2007-10) that won three consecutive Mid-American Conference West Division championships (2007-09). The Broncos ranked in the top 50 nationally in digs per set each year, including a No. 5 ranking in 2010. Over those four seasons, the Broncos were 95-40 (.704) overall and 51-13 (.797) in the MAC.

In 2008, Reed played an integral role in leading the Broncos to the Mid-American Conference championship, its first since 2000, and the program's first at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Once in the tournament, WMU defeated Dayton and No. 16 Tulane to advance to the round of 16 for the first time since 1987.

In his first season with the Broncos, the team won the MAC West championship for the first time since 2000 and reached the 20-win plateau for the third season in a row.   

As Reed worked with the defense, Caitlin Strimel was a two-time MAC Defensive Player of the Year (the first time a WMU player had ever won the award) and helped set the WMU all-time record in career digs (2,583), while Katie Eberling, Allyson Doyle and Jillian Mitchell all finished their careers in the top-10. He also worked with outside hitter Michelle Moore as she finished her career as WMU's all-time leader in kills (1,919) and WMU won the MAC Setter of the Year award three consecutive seasons (2008, 2009, 2010).

Reed came to WMU after beginning his second stint at his alma mater, Michigan State. Reed was a volunteer assistant working with players on defense and was involved with planning and working the Michigan State volleyball camps. Reed was also a manager for the Spartans during the 2005 season where he filmed matches and performed video scouting and editing. He helped create weekly scouting reports as the Spartans' audio-visual technology specialist.

Reed spent the 2006 season as the top assistant at NCAA Division II West Alabama for current Akron head coach Ron Arenz. Reed's on-court duties involved working with the Tigers' defense and off the court he was involved in recruiting, team travel and practice planning. Reed helped sophomore Jacquie Swan earn Gulf South Conference East Division Defensive Player of the Week honors during the season and helped sophomore outside hitter Allison Nail on her way to being named to the All-Gulf South Conference East Division Second Team.

Despite not playing volleyball in high school, Reed became a standout libero on the Michigan State club volleyball team during his four-year career. He won back-to-back Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Big Ten Tournament awards in 2005 and 2006. The Spartans won the Big Ten Tournament in 2005 and the Big Ten regular season championship in 2006. During the 2006 season, Reed helped MSU to the highest national ranking in school history (#3) and the Spartans were the only team to defeat eventual national champion Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He also helped MSU win back-to-back State of Michigan Championships in 2005 and 2006.

Reed has also been involved in club volleyball by coaching the Magic City Thunder during his stint in Alabama and Dead Frogs Volleyball Club in Kalamazoo, Mich.

Born into a U.S. military family in Germany, Reed graduated from Battle Creek (Mich.) Harper Creek High School in 2001 and then went on to receive a bachelor's in exercise science from Michigan State in 2005. He added a master's degree in exercise physiology from Western Michigan in 2010.

The Greyhounds went 31-8 last season as they won the NCAA Championship Midwest Regional for the second time on the way to advancing to the NCAA D-II Final Four, which marked the best postseason finish in school history.

He replaces Jody Rogers who spent the last 16 seasons leading the Greyhounds before accepting a position last month as the new head coach at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT JASON REED

Mark Rosen, head coach, University of Michigan

"I think Jason Reed is one of the young, up-and-coming coaches in our profession. I've seen him work at both the club and collegiate level and have all the confidence that he will take the University of Indianapolis program to the next level.  He has worked hard to be ready for this leadership position and I know he will do a great job."

Cathy George, head coach, Michigan State University

"Jason brings an immense amount of passion for the sport and he has a great work ethic as a coach. His knowledge and skill-set in developing players will prove to be a great asset to the University of Indianapolis.”

Colleen Munson, head coach, Western Michigan University

"UIndy made a great hire. Jason Reed will do a tremendous job at the helm of the Greyhound program. His devotion and dedication to the sport have been contagious and his passion for the game encourages players to consistently perform at the highest level."

Kari Thompson, head coach, North Dakota State University

"This is a great opportunity for Jason. Jason has worked hard to earn this opportunity and has put a lot of hard work into the Bison program. We wish him the best of luck and continued success."

Ryan Theis, head coach, Ohio University

"Jason is an extremely passionate coach that will do great things at the University of Indianapolis. I believe that Jason is an up and coming coach that recruits will want to commit to, and players will want to win for. Jason's knowledge of the game and charismatic personality will translate very well at the University of Indianapolis. This is a great fit for both sides."  

Ron Arenz, head coach, University of Akron

"The University of Indianapolis athletic administration has found the right person to continue the success of its volleyball program.  Jason's diligence and ability to connect with today's student-athlete are just a few of the things that make him a great coach. I'm excited to follow his continued success."