Eastern Washington hires Big-12 assistant as new quarterbacks coach

With its first coaching hire of the offseason, Eastern Washington sent a message Wednesday: Passing the football will remain a priority in Cheney.

New quarterbacks coach Bodie Reeder – whose hire was announced even as recruits faxed their commitments – promises to keep the ball flying.

“You look at their passing record – who wouldn’t want to come to a place like this,” said Reeder, who spent the last three seasons as assistant quarterbacks coach at Oklahoma State.

Reeder also served as an offensive quality control coach for the Cowboys, who ranked ninth in the nation in passing offense and 17th in scoring.

OSU also went 10-3 and finished second in the Big 12.

That’s the bottom line for the 30-year-old Reeder, who said, “If it means running the ball, I’m all for it. I’m for playing a winning style.”

Reeder succeeds Troy Taylor, now the offensive coordinator at Utah. Reeder was first contacted by former head coach Beau Baldwin. Baldwin’s successor, Aaron Best, met Reeder during a professional development session last year at OSU.

EWU still needs to fill coaching vacancies at offensive coordinator, offensive line, running backs and tight ends, so Reeder’s role is unclear.

“They play an exciting brand of football at Oklahoma State,” said Best, who has said that the Eagles will remain a “pass-first” offense, but with more balance.

Last year, Eastern led the FCS in passing offense with 5,614 yards. The Eagles ran for just 1,800, with quarterback Gage Gubrud accounting for a team-high 606.

Said Reeder, “A running quarterback is an added dimension,” but I hope he’s not our leading rusher.”

Reeder quarterbacked at Eastern Illinois in 2007-09. He was an assistant at Wisconsin-Stout for three years.