From the Bench: A Familiar Name in Area Sports Set to Lead BHS Program as Tribe's Newest Head Coach
By Jeff Toquinto on August 24, 2025 from Sports Blog
There is another new varsity coach at Bridgeport High School. And for those who follow the sport, it is likely a familiar name.
BHS Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Tom Sears announced that Scott Reed is the new Indians tennis coach for the boys. He is replacing Betsy Jackson who filled in for a season from the Tribe’s previous coaching staff.
For those who think the name sounds familiar in tennis circles, it is. Reed served the last four seasons as the East Fairmont coach as he led the boys there to two regional titles in four seasons, including falling to eventual state champion Charleston Catholic in the semifinals.
“He most definitely comes to this position with a good deal of experience,” said Sears. “He left East Fairmont to come to Bridgeport High School, and his goal is to build on what we have and into a state contender.”
Leaving East Fairmont was not easy. However, the winds of change and the BHS opening helped to facilitate the move.
“I loved it there. Loved the administration and my assistant coaches and players and families,” said Reed. “It was a good setup, but I felt a need for change and Bridgeport came open. It’s Bridgeport, number one, and the boys aren’t that far removed from a state championship.
“The facilities are great, and they’re doing more work on them now (at Deegan Lake). Plus, I know I’ll once again have the support of the administration, community, and families,” Reed continued. “The program has the building blocks to go to the next level.”
Reed’s confidence is not based on arrogance. Rather, it is based on a love and understanding for the game that began while at student at Grafton High School. He started as a junior there as the number four seed before finishing up as the number one seed for the Bearcats back in 1993.
After that, he headed to Fairmont State College and played four years – his first as the No. 6 seed and his last three in the No. 2 spot – for the Falcons. The Falcon co-captain graduated in 1998 with a degree in health and physical education.
“He understands the game from high school to the college level and he’s bringing that vast knowledge and experience to Bridgeport,” said Sears. “For us, it was a no brainer because he’s done the job at a high level, and it gives us a chance to continue building the program into a contender … He let us know he is excited to get started.”
The 50-year-old Reed, ironically, did not put his teaching degree into use for 18 years. He started teaching in 2016 in Taylor County, with almost the entire tenure (minus one-year working as a substitute locally) at Taylor County Middle School.
“After getting back in, I was ready to start coaching. I’m focused on coaching the boys at Bridgeport right now,” Reed said. “I’ve already 
reached out to some of the players coming back and we have a good nucleus, a good team that we’ll see this spring. I am excited to get started and meet the goals the team and school, as well as myself, expect.”
reached out to some of the players coming back and we have a good nucleus, a good team that we’ll see this spring. I am excited to get started and meet the goals the team and school, as well as myself, expect.”
Sears is buying what Reed is selling on the expectation front.
“Bridgeport has high expectations with everything we do and it’s always nice to be in a room with a coach who is confident they can bring a program up a level. More important, I think he’s able to do it,” Sears said. “It’s important to have a coach that can have consistency and build a culture. He’s already brought into our culture that, for the most part, all of our coaches buy into. I’m looking forward to him starting, and he comes with high expectations.”
Reed, the 2025 Big 10 tennis coach of the year, is a resident of Morgantown. He and his wife Melony, who he said was a big influence on taking the Bridgeport job, have a 22-year-old daughter, Alexa.
“Although I’m new, I’ve played against Bridgeport as a tennis player,” Reed said. “At East Fairmont, I’ve coached against them. I know what they’re about, and I’m ready to be part of it of what I consider a destination job.”
Editor's Note: Top photo is of Coach Scott Reed at the gym at Taylor County Middle School, while he's shown after winning last year's regional in the second photo. Bottom photo, by Joe LaRocca, is of BHS Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Tom Sears. Top two photos courtesy of Reed.
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