RIT Women’s Basketball Head Coach Amy Reed announced her intention to step away from coaching to pursue other professional opportunities. She informed her team today, but will remain on staff to assist with special projects in the department through the end of the academic year.
“After thoughtful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to step away from coaching in order to explore new opportunities,” said Reed. “I wouldn’t be the person I am today without all of the amazing experiences, challenges, successes, failures, and countless opportunities for growth my career at RIT has afforded me. Most importantly, I cherish all of the relationships I have been so fortunate to build with current and former players, my amazing colleagues at RIT, my incredible boss, Jackie Nicholson, and throughout the women’s basketball coaching community as a whole.
“Although I have experienced an array of emotions with this decision, my purpose or my “why” will always be coaching, mentoring and developing exceptional leaders and guiding them through the successes and challenges we all face. I look forward to following my passion outside of basketball and am forever grateful for my time at RIT, a place I will always love and call home.”
The winningest coach in RIT women’s basketball history, Reed directed the Tigers to a 184-181 record the last 16 seasons, including the only three 20-win seasons, the lone conference championship, all three NCAA Tournament appearances and all eight postseason appearances in the program’s 36-year history as an intercollegiate sport.
“The profound effect Amy had on our basketball program is evident in all the team and individual accolades you can read about, but the impact she had on not only her players, but on the RIT community are the waves that will continue to ripple long after she has left the sidelines,” said Executive Director of Athletics Jacqueline Nicholson. “She meant the world to countless people on and off the court in more ways than she probably even knows, and that is what I’ll always think about when it comes to Coach Reed’s legacy with the program.”
Reed guided the Tigers on an unprecedented four-year run from 2015-19, starting with a 20-7 record and runner-up Liberty League Tournament finish en route to Coach of the Year honors in 2015-16. She then directed the 2016-17 Tigers to a 19-9 mark, winning the Liberty League title with an 85-72 victory over Clarkson in the championship game to earn an automatic bid to RIT’s first NCAA Tournament appearance ever.
Reed led RIT through a magical 2017-18 campaign. The Tigers finished with a program-record 23-7 mark following a run to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 after receiving the program’s first ever NCAA at-large bid. RIT led off the tournament with a 76-63 victory over the University of New England for the first NCAA win in program history before taking down The College of New Jersey, 79-76, in the second round to advance to the regional semifinals. Reed was named Liberty League Co-Coach of the Year for her efforts.
Reed’s 2018-19 team finished with a 20-8 record, including its second-consecutive NCAA Tournament at-large bid and runner-up conference finish. RIT played in five Liberty League Championship games in seven total Liberty League Tournament appearances on Reed’s watch.
Reed’s players combined to garner 29 all-conference honors during her tenure, including six first-team selections and four three-time honorees, along with five conference rookies of the year. Thirteen of her players also garnered Rochester Area Basketball Writers Association accolades through the years.
Reed mentored five of the program’s top six scorers as well as seven of the 11 Tigers who eclipsed the 1,000-point plateau, including all-time leading scorer Jessica Glaz ’18 who finished with 1,502 points, and Tara Lynch ’19 who was third with 1,464 points.
“Having the privilege to experience Coach Reed’s leadership both on and off the court has been one of the most transformative chapters of my life,” said Glaz, who also served as an assistant coach for Reed in 2022-23. “As a player, she taught me the true meaning of perseverance and teamwork. During my time as an assistant coach, she showed me the power of compassionate leadership and the importance of buying into the process. She leaves behind a reputation marked with impressive achievements but also a legacy so impactful. I will carry the lessons I learned from her forever.”
Reed coached Cori Okada ’19 to back-to-back Honorable Mention All-America honors in 2017-18 and 2018-19 after finishing fourth in program history with 1,391 points as well as first with 448 assists.
Committed to the ideals of the student-athlete, Reed’s players have excelled in the classroom, earning 86 Liberty League All-Academic awards. Additionally, Courtney Tennant ’14 (2nd Team) and Brooke Stanley ’19 (3rd Team) were voted Academic All-Americans by College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) – the lone players in program history to garner the prestigious award.
Reed served as the co-director of the RIT Athletic Diversity and Inclusion Team and was the department’s NCAA Athletics Diversity and Inclusion designee, helping facilitate DEI discussions for student-athletes and the greater campus community to foster growth, understanding and effect positive change at RIT.
“Amy has been an integral part of the RIT community for the past 16 years, not only guiding our women’s basketball team with dedication and expertise but also enriching our campus life as an active and engaged community member,” said RIT Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Sandy Johnson. “While we will deeply miss Amy, her legacy at RIT is indelible – a testament to her multifaceted contributions and the profound impact she has made on our community. She has touched our lives in a myriad of ways and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors and look forward to celebrating her next achievements, as we know her journey will continue to inspire and transform wherever she goes.”
RIT will conduct a national search for a new head coach immediately.
