Goldsboro's Reid resigns as head football coach

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 20, 2013 1:48 PM

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"Education first, football second" is the message Eric Reid delivered to his players on a daily basis for seven years.

Now, he's taking his own advice.

Reid resigned as head football coach at Goldsboro High earlier this week to concentrate on the academic portion of his life. School administrators posted the job opening Tuesday on the N.C. High School Athletic Association website.

An anonymous source said approximately 40 applicants have expressed interest in the vacancy at the Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference school. A timetable to announce Reid's successor has not been determined.

"It just came to a point where I felt I needed to get some things together in my life," Reid said. "I preached to them about furthering their education and doing the right thing, and that was something I hadn't accomplished. I knew I had to go out and complete my journey, and they've been my motivation.

"I am truly thankful for my 14 years at Goldsboro and the seven that I have been head coach. I feel like I've been truly blessed to be able to come back home, and coach at my alma mater."

The Cougars experienced just two winning seasons between 2001 and 2006 before Reid took over the reins. The program endured two winless campaigns, including 2002 when that team reached the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A eastern regional final, but forfeited 10 victories due to two ineligible players.

The 2006 team finished 0-11 overall.

Reid needed one season to resuscitate a program that appeared to be on life support. His 2007 squad won the Eastern Plains 2-A Conference title -- the first league championship in program history since 1996.

His next six teams combined to capture three Carolina 1-A Conference championships, finish league runner-up on two occasions and make a trip to the NCHSAA 1-AA eastern regional final in 2009.

"I think we have accomplished some great things at Goldsboro High," said Reid, who compiled a seven-year mark of 61-28-1. "We've had a tremendous amount of good kids to come through the program and there are some good kids coming up in the future.

"We have set a tempo that will keep the program going in a positive direction and for that I am happy."