University of Idaho Athletics

Brian Reader is in his seventh season on the Idaho football staff and his fourth as a full-time assistant coach. Reader is responsible for the receivers and serves as the program's recruiting coordinator.
 
Reader took over the receiving corps for the 2021 spring season. Sophomore Hayden Hatten was stellar, and led the way for Idaho with 43 receptions for 613 yards over six games, earning All-Big Sky First Team honors. His 7.2 receptions per game were the most in the Big Sky, while his 108.3 yards per game was second.
 
Serving as the running backs coach in 2019, the Vandals excelled. Freshman Nick Romano had a tremendous season and ultimately earned All-Big Sky honors as a kick returner. Working through injuries, the running back corp averaged the most yards per game since Paul Petrino took over the program in 2013.

In his first season coaching the running backs, Reader helped Isaiah Saunders rush for 911 yards and six touchdowns en route to All-Big Sky Third Team recognition.

Idaho's 2019 recruiting class, the first class fully comprised under his watch as the recruiting coordinator, was deemed the No. 2 class in the Big Sky accorindg to 247Sports and included four three-star athletes. Head coach Paul Petrino called the class "one of the best we've put together at Idaho."

In 2017, Reader was the director of football operations. His duties included overseeing the day-to-day operations of the football program, including travel, meals, camps and community engagement. He will assisted with coordination in the areas of recruiting.

Reader got his start with Paul Petrino's staff as an offensive graduate assistant in 2015. He helped the Vandals put together two of the most prolific offensive seasons in program history, including the 2016 campaign that was capped with a 61-55 win over Colorado State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

An Idaho alum, Reader played quarterback for the Vandals from 2009-11. He appeared in 27 games, passing for 3,343 yards and 21 touchdowns. After walking on at Arkansas to begin his collegiate career, Reader spent one season at Monterey Peninsula College before coming to Moscow. In his one season, Reader led the Lobos to an undefeated regular season and conference title while being named the Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

After college, Reader went on to a three-year professional career. He signed with the Iowa Barnstormers in the Arena Football League, where he played two seasons. In 2015, Reader finished his professional career with the New Orleans VooDoo, throwing 21 touchdowns and 1,143 yards in six games before sustaining a season-ending knee injury.

Reader's coaching career began before his playing days ended. During his offseasons, the Salinas, Calif., native would return home to help coach his alma mater, Palma High School. he had a hand in developing the team's quarterbacks and wide receivers from 2013-15.

Reader and his wife, Jill, reside in Moscow. Jill is a former Vandal soccer student-athlete.