The Kokomo Jackrabbits and Coach Johnston Hobbs are excited to welcome Justin Reed to the 2024 coaching staff! Reed is set to enter his first season as a Pitching Coach for the Jackrabbits. Reed  currently is in the midst of his first full season as the Pitching Coach at Indiana University Kokomo after he took over the role in the middle of the 2023 season. Under his tutelage, the Cougar pitching staff has made strides forward both on and off the field, including helping former Jackrabbit Lucas Letsinger to River States Conference Pitcher of the Year honors last season. IU Kokomo has experienced one of their best seasons in its short program history, as they enter postseason play with an overall record of 30-16.

Justin was a collegiate pitcher himself, spending time at three different universities across three different divisions: NCAA DI (Indiana University), NJCAA (Walters State Community College), and NAIA (IU Kokomo). He spent one season at both IU and Walters State, before utilizing his final three years of eligibility in Kokomo as a Cougar.

On Reed, Coach Hobbs states, “I’m looking forward to working with Justin this summer and the expertise that he can pass on to our pitching staff. He will have some familiarity from day one since we have a couple of arms from Kokomo. Having talked about about pitching ad nauseam over the years with pitching coaches, it’s a bonus we’re on the same page with our pitching philosophies…always a bonus when everyone’s on the same page! I think this will be a great experience for Justin and a better experience for our pitchers.”

A former Jackrabbits intern himself from the 2021 summer, Reed would go on to graduate from IU Kokomo with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports and Recreation Management in May of 2021, Justin took a position as Graduate Assistant for the IU Kokomo Athletic Department and Baseball team. In his two years as a GA, he gained valuable experience while working towards a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, of which he would graduate with in May of 2023. Justin currently resides in Windfall with his girlfriend McKayla and their son Jhett.

“I am very eager and excited to get to work with the Jackrabbits this summer especially after spending most of my time with organization as an intern. Getting to work with some talented players and help them grow into the best version of themselves gets me fired up!”