Central Nebraska native Creighton Reed named new Grand Island football coach

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — A well-traveled coach with roots in Central Nebraska will be the next man to lead the Grand Island football program.
The school district announced today that Creighton Reed is the new head coach for the Islanders. Reed takes over for Jeff Tomlin, who retired from coaching in November after 21 seasons as Grand Island head coach.
Reed comes to GISH after stints as an assistant coach at various Texas high schools. Most recently, he was the wide receiver coach at Reagan High School in San Antonio. Previously, he was offensive coordinator at Odessa High School and was quarterbacks coach at Lake Worth High School.
Reed is originally from Juniata and played at Adams Central. He went on to pick up all-conference honors as quarterback at Chadron State. After playing for the Eagles, Reed served as a graduate assistant at UNK for two seasons and helped coach receivers.
“Being the head football coach at Grand Island is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Reed said in a statement. Reed shared, “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.”
Reed will be joined in Grand Island by his wife, Shelby, and daughter, Kinlee.
“I certainly want to welcome Coach Reed and his family to Grand Island Senior High and our community of Grand Island,” Activities Director Cindy 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.”
Reed will finish the school year in Texas and take over the Islanders football program in the summer.
Grand Island was one of the most successful Class A programs in the state under Tomlin’s leadership. The Islanders made the state playoffs in each of the last 11 seasons and won at least one game in the playoffs each of the last six seasons.