Brett Reed and the Lehigh Hawks have been together since the 2007-08 season, a partnership marked by stability and flashes of brilliance. The Hawks made the NCAA Tournament in two of Reed’s first five years, including that iconic 2012 upset over Duke. But as the 2025-26 season tips off, it’s been more than a decade since Lehigh has danced in March.
A Legacy Built on Loyalty and One Historic Win
Reed owns one Patriot League regular-season title and two tournament championships, compiling a 287-258 record, all with Lehigh. The 53-year-old from Waterford, Michigan, played point guard at Eckerd College before moving through the coaching ranks at Oakland Community College, UNC Greensboro, and High Point, eventually joining Lehigh as an assistant in 2002.
Remembering the Duke Stunner
Reed’s defining moment came during the 2012 NCAA Tournament. After winning the Patriot League title, Lehigh shocked the college basketball world with a 75-70 win over the Duke Blue Devils. It was one of the biggest upsets in tournament history and remains the program’s proudest moment. Their run ended in the second round against Xavier, while Kentucky went on to win the national title that year.
Searching for the Next Breakthrough
Since finishing third in the Patriot League in 2022-23, the Hawks have slipped. They’ve gone 15-21 over the past two seasons, including an 11-19 campaign last year that ended with a first-round loss to Loyola Maryland.
Despite the struggles, Reed’s tenure is one of loyalty and consistency in a sport often defined by turnover. Yet, in today’s era of the transfer portal, patience is thin, and expectations are rising.
A Tough Road Ahead
Lehigh’s 2025-26 schedule doesn’t offer much breathing room. The Hawks open the season on November 3 at powerhouse Houston, last year’s national runner-up, before hosting Valley Forge on November 6. Early tests against West Virginia and Rutgers will quickly reveal whether Reed’s team is ready to compete or still rebuilding.
As the season begins, Brett Reed’s legacy at Lehigh remains secure, but the urgency to deliver another moment like 2012 has never been greater.