Reed excited for opportunity as Mavs head coach

By JAMES TUBB on August 26, 2025.

jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb

Ryan Reed is already giddy looking toward his next summer in Medicine Hat.

The Medicine Hat Mavericks assistant coach was promoted to head coach for the summer of 2026, an opportunity he says he jumped at.

“I’m looking forward to being back up in Med Hat and hopefully bringing back a majority of the guys to have a chance to make a special run,” Reed said. “I’m just very grateful for Mo for giving me an opportunity.”

Reed joined the Mavs this summer from Mid-America Christian University where he is the assistant coach and strength and conditioning coach. It’s a special opportunity for Reed as well, following in the footsteps of his head coach at MACU, Brett Stanton, who was an assistant coach on the 2012 and 2013 Mavs who lost in consecutive finals.

This season the Mavs had a 34-21 regular season record, the third highest total since 2010 and the most wins since 2018. They were swept in the first round by the eventual WCBL champion Regina Red Sox, 2-0.

“Obviously the postseason run was pretty disappointing, we had a very talented group that competed with every team in the league,” Reed said. “We handled a majority of the Western Division, now it’s just taking that next step in the playoffs because that’s two years in a row we’ve been knocked down the first round.

“We really just have to emphasize depth on the mound and offensively, just a little more timely hitting in the postseason.”

Reed says he’s looking forward to building that roster he’ll hope to lead to the top of the WCBL with the Mavs looking for their first championship since 2018. The recruiting part, forging a roster, is his favourite part of the job, much to his own surprise.

“If you would have asked me that when I first started, I probably would have laughed at you, but recruiting has been one of my favourite parts,” Reed said. “I’m really looking forward to connecting with guys from all over the world and building a competitive team.”

In his first summer in Medicine Hat, Reed says he was surprised by the atmosphere and the league, hearing good things but finding another level upon arrival.

“Pretty much everywhere we went, the stands were packed, it was a good environment, always competitive, lots of talent in the league,” Reed said. “It was a great growing experience for me being a young coach, and I’m just really excited to be back up there. Now that I know what it looks like, I know what kind of talent skill set we need to have, but also maintain having good people in the locker room.”

This summer he worked alongside fellow assistant coach, former pitcher Cesar Rodriguez and under head coach Jonathon Thornhill. There were lessons learned and memories made between himself and Thornhill, and he says he’ll look to emulate how the former head coach approached the game.

“JT is a first-class human being, one of the best I’ve ever met,” Reed said. “The biggest takeaway from him that I’ve gathered is just his positive energy. Day in and day out, regardless of the score or the outcome, his energy was always positive, it was contagious. It’s something I’m trying to continue to add and bring back.”

He’ll spend the winter recruiting while working at his college before returning in May to start the three-month push for the Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy. Reed says he’s also looking forward to getting back to the atmosphere and the community he fell in love with this summer in Medicine Hat.

“The community is awesome, they were always packing the stands, even during the cold, rainy days, they were there,” Reed said. “They’re loud alone, they’re into the game and when there are close ball, strike calls, they’re always engaged.

“We need to give back to them and make a deep run in the postseason.”

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