BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Head coach Billy Taylor has announced two staffing updates for the 2006-07 season. Assistant coach Brett Reed has been promoted to associate head coach, while former Director of Basketball Operations Brad Szalachowski ’05 will now serve as the team’s graduate assistant.
“I’m really pleased with the coaching staff we have for the upcoming season,” explained Taylor. “It’s great to have both Brett (Reed) and Bob (Simmons) back for another year. The two of them will continue to add tremendous value to the student-athlete experience, be that academically, athletically and even socially.” He continues, “I can only hope that we can continue to attract high quality coaches like the ones we currently have on our staff.”
As associate head coach Reed will continue to serve as Lehigh’s recruiting coordinator, manage team budgets, scout opponents, perform academic mentoring and also work with the team’s guards out on the floor. Reed came to Lehigh as part of Taylor’s original staff prior to the 2002-03 season, arriving by way of High Point University (N.C.), where he served as the top assistant for two years. Prior to High Point, Reed spent the 1999-2000 season at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro., serving as the Director of Basketball Operations. Reed began his coaching career at Oakland (Mich.) Community College where he was an assistant from 1995-97.
“Brett is truly deserving of this opportunity,” Taylor said. “He is committed to the program and has a great enthusiasm and passion for Lehigh, which is contagious. He serves as a great mentor for our student-athletes and will continue to do so.”
Former Mountain Hawk Szalachowski enters his second season on the sidelines for the Brown and White and first as the graduate assistant. Last season Szalachowski assisted with numerous duties for the Mountain Hawks staff including film exchange, team travel, summer camps and film editing. Szalachowski played basketball at Lehigh for two seasons before becoming a student assistant during both his junior and senior years on South Mountain.
“Brad has been with our staff in a variety of positions and has really worked his way up,” Taylor explains. “He will take on additional responsibilities with this new role while he pursues his masters degree in accounting and continues to grow as a coach.” He adds, “Brad will also be a great mentor to our student-athletes in the program.”
