Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Fred Reid joins Ottawa Redblacks coaching staff

Photo courtesy: CFL

The Ottawa Redblacks have rounded out their coaching staff, hiring former CFL all-star Fred Reid as running backs coach for the 2022 season.

Hailing from Tampa, FL the 39 year-old Reid served as running backs coach for the Toronto Argonauts during the 2021 CFL campaign. Despite rushing the fourth-fewest times as a team, last year the Argonauts ended the season with 1,272 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground, the third-highest mark across the league.

“I am very excited to be joining the Redblacks and have the opportunity to be a piece of a great coaching staff led by Coach LaPolice,” said Reid. “I am ready to get to work and can’t wait to be a part of the great things to come.”

As a player, Reid had a brief stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL, as well as the Mississippi Mudcats in the second incarnation of ArenaFootball. He then moved on to the CFL, joining the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and seeing his best statistical season under now-Redblacks head coach Paul LaPolice in 2010, rushing for 1,396 yards and six touchdowns.

All told, Reid appeared in 83 CFL games from 2007-2011, rushing for 4,451 yards and 22 touchdowns to go with 1,214 return yards.

The Redblacks continue their preparation for the 2022 CFL Draft, May 3, where they own the second overall pick and are tied for the most selections with nine.