Reich now balancing duties as head football coach and athletic director

By: Michael Wayne O’Neill

Sports Editor

Taking on another full-time responsibility is like adding another pancake to the plate for Wingate University head football coach Joe Reich, who accepted the opportunity to oversee all athletic teams as the school’s new athletic director before the 2023-24 school year.

Reich, who has been Wingate’s football coach since 2001, replaced Kelley Kish on an interim basis last spring and he says the full-time role has been fulfilling and educational.

“We have a great staff in athletics overall and also in the football program, so that made the transition much easier,” Reich said. “I have loved getting to know more about each team and how each coach chooses to run his or her program. It really is fascinating to me to see the differences.”

When Reich had the interim AD tag, the softball team won its first South Atlantic Conference regular-season title and the athletic department placed in the top five of the NCAA Division II Learfield Directors’ Cup.

During the football season, Reich is in the football offices all day Sunday and Monday preparing for the next opponent. Tuesday, he splits time at the football office and the athletic office before going back to the football field to run practices. He has a similar back-and-forth schedule on Wednesday, but he handles athletic director responsibilities most of the day.

Thursday mornings are when Reich focuses on his AD responsibilities before meeting with the team at 4 p.m. before practice. The night before kicking off against opponents, Reich watches film on his own after dinner before handling e-mails.

Reich, who owns a 154-92 career record at Wingate, says he wants to guide the athletic department on four principles: educate, win, be great in operations and be great fiscally.

“Those are the basics and the simple version,” Reich said, “Each one of those has its own details.  We also want a program that develops great coaches and players.” Reich will put on his coaching hat Saturday when 4-3 Bulldogs travel to Wilson, N.C., to take on Barton in a 2 p.m. SAC matchup.