Northern Arizona Names Jake Reed Assistant Coach for Cross Country & Track

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (August 21, 2025) - Northern Arizona Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Jarred Cornfield announced the hiring of Jake Reed as Assistant Coach for the cross country and track & field programs. In addition to his role as a distance coach, Reed will serve as the men's team's distance recruiter. Reed arrives in Flagstaff after a decorated tenure at the University of Lynchburg, where he established himself as one of Division III's top young coaches.

At Lynchburg, Reed guided the Hornets to national prominence. His athletes captured four NCAA individual national championships, earned 33 All-America honors and led he his teams to multiple top-four national finishes. Under his direction, the men's indoor track & field program secured its first podium finish in school history, while his cross country squads consistently ranked among the nation's elite.

Reflecting on his time at Lynchburg, Reed said, "My time there gave me a deeper understanding of how to run a program, which allows me to better assist Coach Cornfield here at NAU."

Now in Flagstaff, one of the world's premier training environments for distance running, Reed takes on a central role with the Lumberjacks. He will primarily assist with the men's and women's distance groups while leading recruiting efforts for the men's distance program.

"Coming here to NAU provides resources at a whole other level, some of the best in the NCAA," Reed said. "What excites me the most is being able to work with athletes at the highest level and provide the resources necessary to develop them."

Reed emphasized patience and observation as he integrated into NAU's system under Cornfield, who is entering his first season at the helm of the Lumberjacks.

"Right now, for me, it's all about evaluation," Reed said. "It's about observing the athletes, watching them move through practice, seeing where they're at and how we can develop them. Once I learn how to operate in this system, then I can step in and help in the future."

With Reed on staff, NAU looks to build on its storied tradition, which includes multiple NCAA men's cross country championships and six consecutive women's Big Sky Conference cross country titles.