THE HILL | From Power Five basketball to The Hill, Associate Head Coach Paul Reed brings more than experience to Alabama A&M women's basketball, he brings a vision.
After coaching stops at programs such as Washington and California, Reed now arrives in Huntsville focused on helping elevate the Bulldogs into a nationally recognized contender while continuing to build a championship culture within the SWAC.
"I have always had an urge to coach at an HBCU," Reed said. "Alabama A&M is a great institution with amazing alumni who love the University. The facilities are great, Huntsville is a great city and the SWAC is a great conference."
Reed arrives on The Hill with a coaching resumé that spans multiple levels of basketball, including high school and Power Five stops at the University of Washington and the University of California, Berkeley. Along the way, his coaching blueprint has continued to evolve, shaped by both experience and relationships.
One of the biggest lessons Reed learned throughout his coaching journey was the importance of communication and emotional control.
"I've learned that your players take on your energy," Reed said. "You must know when to show your energy and when to stay calm in pressure situations."
As the years progressed, Reed realized success was not simply about instructing players on what to do, but helping them understand why they were doing it. That mindset became a cornerstone of his philosophy. For Coach Reed, player development extends far beyond the stat sheet. While skill development and basketball IQ remain priorities, his focus centers equally on preparing student-athletes for life outside the game.
"To me, player development means developing a player holistically," Reed said. "It consists of building character, teaching players mental toughness, developing real-life decision making and being coachable."
Although Reed has coached at some of the nation's highest levels, his transition into the SWAC has only strengthened his appreciation for HBCU basketball. While acknowledging differences in resources and staffing compared to the Pac-12, he believes the level of talent and coaching throughout the conference is often overlooked nationally.
"I think people outside the SWAC misunderstand that there is a ton of talent in this conference," Reed said. "Coaches in the SWAC are great tacticians who understand and know how to get players better."
That belief fuels Reed's excitement surrounding the future of Alabama A&M women's basketball. Following back-to-back postseason appearances and a record-setting season under Thornton, Reed sees the Bulldogs continuing to emerge as one of the premier programs in the conference.
"I am excited to continue to establish this program as the premier women's basketball program in the SWAC," Reed said. "And next year, winning the SWAC tournament championship."
Part of Reed's role in helping elevate the program includes recruiting elite talent, developing players and continuing to establish a culture centered around toughness and discipline. That development process has already produced memorable moments throughout his coaching career.
Reed pointed to working with Aniya Palmer this past season as an example of growth through trust and consistency. After shooting 33 percent from the free-throw line previously, Palmer improved to nearly 70 percent through countless repetitions and confidence-building work outside of practice.
As Alabama A&M continues building momentum nationally, Reed hopes his impact on the program will be measured by more than wins. He wants his legacy to reflect relationships, development and a championship standard that lasts well beyond his time on The Hill.
"We are building a big energy, entertaining, hardworking, disciplined team through a sisterhood and family built on excellence."
