EAST LANSING, Mich—Michigan State has officially announced the hire of Effrem Reed as its new running backs coach. Reed replaces William Peagler, who will become the tight ends coach at the University of Florida. Peagler spent the last two seasons as the Spartans’ running backs coach.

IT’S OFFICIAL 🚨

Your new Running Backs Coach @Ereed26 😎 #GoGreen pic.twitter.com/iDn7Qixa5y

— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) January 13, 2022

Reed, 29, had previously been a part of Tucker’s staff as an offensive analyst and was hired as Georgia Southern’s running backs coach in December before being promoted to the same position in East Lansing upon Peagler’s departure three weeks later. He has also worked closely with offensive coordinator Jay Johnson in the past, under whom he was an assistant from 2018-19 at the University of Louisiana. 

A Louisiana native, Reed spent four seasons in Lafayette as a running back, rushing for 611 yards and six touchdowns. He played an important role in the development of Kenneth Walker III, who was a unanimous All-American and won the Doak Walker and Walter Camp National Player of the Year awards. The Spartans’ rushing attack made large strides in 2021 after struggling in 2020, increasing their rushing yards per game by over 80 yards. 

Overall, he compiled nearly 1,000 all-purpose yards and eight rushing touchdowns in 44 games at Louisiana. Johnson was the offensive coordinator at Louisiana when Reed was a player.

Reed will play a pivotal role in player development and will be a strong presence on the recruiting trail as well. Reed and the Spartans will look to replace Walker’s production at the running back position, with Wisconsin transfer Jalen Berger the most likely candidate to earn the largest share of carries.

MSU is also in the running for former LSU commit and 2023 four-star running back TreVonte’ Citizen. He released his Top 8 earlier today; MSU made the cut alongside Auburn, USC, Florida, Miami (FL), Missouri, Nebraska and Grambling State.