January 22nd, 2024
A new chapter for Islander Football will start this summer.
Grand Island Senior High has named Creighton Reed the new Head Football Coach for the program starting summer of 2024. A native Nebraskan and UNK Graduate, Coach Reed is excited to be coming home.
The announcement comes after long-time, accomplished coach Jeff Tomlin announced his intention to retire at the end of the school year.
Creighton Reed brings eight years of football coaching experience to the G-I gridiron. He currently serves as the Wide Receiver Coach at Reagan High School in San Antonio. He also served as the Offensive Coordinator at Odessa High School in Texas for two seasons. Throughout his time at Odessa the Broncos became the most improved offense in the state at the 6A level in his first season running the offense. Prior to his stop in Odessa, Reed served on the football coaching staff at Lake Worth High School in Texas as well where he coached the quarterbacks and ran the passing game for two seasons.
While earning a bachelor's degree in Sports Management from UNK, Reed served as Assistant Receivers Coach for two seasons. Following that, Reed served as the Outside Receivers Coach for the Lopers as a Graduate Assistant while earning his masters degree in Education.
As a player, the former Adams Central High School (Nebraska) standout was a quarterback on the Chadron State football team in 2013 and 2014. Named Academic Honorable Mention All-RMAC (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conf.) in his time at Chadron. Reed led Adams Central to an 11-1 record in 2012 and led the Pats to two third place finishes in the Class C-1 and Class B state playoffs.
Looking ahead Coach Reed is excited about the opportunity to lead the GISH football program.
“Being the head football coach at Grand Island is the opportunity of a lifetime!” Reed shared, “My wife Shelby, daughter Kinlee and I are thrilled to be joining the Islander family and the Grand Island community. I am truly honored and appreciative of Superintendent Mr. Fisher and Athletic Directors Cindy Wells and Chris Ladwig for this special opportunity. There’s a rich tradition of football excellence that has been established in this town under coach Tomlin and his staff. This is a special place, with special people and one of the best football programs in the state. GISH has the hardest working kids, coaching staff, and admin in the state. This is a community that thrives on toughness, hard work, and that blue-collar attitude. Championship teams have those three qualities in their DNA. From the outside looking in, it’s so impressive to see what they’ve been able to do over the years and the consistency of excellence. It’s a privilege to step in and follow in coach Tomlin’s footsteps and build on the culture he has established. My family and I are ready to touch down in Grand Island and start building relationships with the players, staff and ingraining ourselves into the Grand Island community.”
As the school year finishes-up, the plan is for Coach Reed to assume the helm this summer. Coach Jeff Tomlin will help ensure a smooth transition as he prepares for his well-deserved retirement.
Cindy Wells, GISH Activities Director, affirmed the hire and the future of continued excellence for the Islanders.
“I certainly want to welcome Coach Reed and his family to Grand Island Senior High and our community of Grand Island!” Wells said, “I was very impressed with his excitement and knowledge of the game. We’re ready for him to continue to lead the Islander football program in the direction that has been established.”
Grand Island Public Schools and Islander Nation are excited to welcome Coach Reed and his family back home to Nebraska!
