Is Brett Reed's incredible run at Lehigh nearing its end? After nearly two decades, the pressure is mounting as the 2025-26 season kicks off. While his legacy is secure, the question is: can he recapture the magic of that historic upset over Duke and return the Mountain Hawks to March Madness? It's been a long drought, and in today's fast-paced college basketball world, patience is wearing thin.
Brett Reed's journey with the Lehigh Mountain Hawks began back in the 2007-08 season. This partnership has been characterized by remarkable consistency and occasional bursts of brilliance. In fact, within his first five years, Lehigh twice found themselves dancing in the NCAA Tournament (though some argue expanding the tournament waters down the competition). Those early successes, including the unforgettable 2012 victory over Duke, cemented his place in Lehigh basketball history. But here's where it gets controversial... some argue that the program's reliance on that single moment has hindered its progress, preventing it from establishing a consistently competitive presence in the Patriot League.
Over his tenure, Reed has secured one Patriot League regular-season title and two tournament championships. His overall record stands at 287-258, all accumulated at Lehigh. The 53-year-old Michigan native, who honed his skills as a point guard at Eckerd College, climbed the coaching ladder through positions at Oakland Community College, UNC Greensboro, and High Point. He eventually landed at Lehigh as an assistant coach in 2002. And this is the part most people miss... his development of individual players has been consistently strong, even if team success hasn't always followed.
The defining moment of Reed's career undoubtedly arrived during the 2012 NCAA Tournament. After clinching the Patriot League title, Lehigh stunned the college basketball universe with a 75-70 triumph over the heavily favored Duke Blue Devils. This victory remains one of the greatest upsets in tournament history and stands as the program's proudest achievement. Their tournament journey concluded in the second round against Xavier, as Kentucky ultimately claimed the national championship that year. This game is still discussed and debated among college basketball fans, particularly regarding Duke's perceived arrogance and Lehigh's underdog spirit.
However, since a third-place finish in the Patriot League in 2022-23, the Mountain Hawks have experienced a decline. Their record over the past two seasons is 15-21, including an 11-19 campaign last year that ended with a first-round loss to Loyola Maryland. Despite these recent struggles, Reed's long-standing commitment to Lehigh represents a rare display of loyalty and stability in a sport often characterized by constant turnover. Yet, in the modern era of the transfer portal and instant gratification, expectations are higher than ever, and patience is a dwindling resource.
Lehigh's 2025-26 schedule presents a formidable challenge. The Mountain Hawks commence their season on November 3 against powerhouse Houston, the previous 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 prepared to compete at a high level or is still in a rebuilding phase. These games will be critical in setting the tone for the season and gauging the team's potential.
As the season gets underway, Brett Reed's legacy at Lehigh is firmly established, but the pressure to replicate the magic of 2012 and bring the program back to national prominence has never been more intense. Will he be able to adapt to the changing landscape of college basketball and lead the Mountain Hawks to another NCAA Tournament appearance? Or will the program seek a new direction? What do you think? Is loyalty more important than immediate results in college sports? And how much should one historic win factor into a coach's evaluation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
