1 week Ago By Erie Times News
Erin Mills-Reid’s first impression of Mercyhurst was a lasting one.She had just graduated from college in 2006 and had several options to become an assistant coach.It was Mercyhurst, however, that made her feel at home.
Nearly two decades later, that impression was still fresh in her mind when Mills-Reid accepted the job as the new head coach of the Mercyhurst women’s basketball team. She is the 15th coach in program history and replaces Brooklyn Kohlheim.“I saw the job was open and a change was being made, and I instantly started doing my research,” Mills-Reid said.
“Joe Spano was the baseball coach when I was there, and I saw he is now the athletic director. I know some people mentioned my name to him, and when I got a phone call with an 814 area code, it was Joe. It was like talking with an old friend.
”More: Mercyhurst coaches ready for challenge of Division I competition, recruiting in NECAfter numerous stops at Division I programs as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, Mills-Reid is ready for her chance at being a head coach.“It was honestly the people that first drew me to Mercyhurst,” Mills-Reid. “Everyone was so welcoming and warm in the interview, and I knew it was a great place to be for someone who just graduated from college.
It’s incredible to be back and see the changes that were made. The court used to go in a different direction, and the whole facility is fantastic. Credit to Joe and the administration for enhancing Mercyhurst, and I’m excited to be a part of this Division I adventure.
”Mills-Reid, a native of Wilmington (Del.) and standout player at Fairleigh Dickinson, spent 2006-07 as an assistant coach to Karin Nicholls before heading to Bloomfield College for two seasons. Mills-Reid then accepted her first Division I job as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at West Point.
After five seasons, she spent one year as the director of basketball operations at the University of Cincinnati before six seasons as the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at Air Force.Mills-Reid then spent two seasons each at Stephen F. Austin and Akron as an assistant coach and helped with recruiting before returning to Erie.
“I think I can be a little OCD with my organizational skills, which helps in recruiting,” Mills-Reid said with a smile. “I love the relationship part of recruiting. I love building that relationship with recruits and their families and the fact they put their trust in me.
I’ve been lucky enough to recruit and coach some phenomenal players in my career, and I think the girls we have right now will fit well in my system, and their strengths will be highlighted on offense and defense.”Contact Tom Reisenweber at [email protected].
Follow him on X @ETNreisenweber.This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Mills-Reid returns to Mercyhurst to coach the women's basketball team.
