Scranton, Pa. — Longtime Lackawanna College assistant football coach Bill Reiss was named Marywood University's first-ever women's flag football coach, Director of Athletics and Recreation Andrew Smith announced Thursday. Reiss will lead a Marywood program during its inaugural season in 2025-26.
Reiss serves as an assistant coach at Lackawanna for the past 16 seasons. He has been the Falcons' defensive coordinator for the past 11 seasons. Prior to that, he was Lackawanna's linebackers and special teams coordinator. Reiss will continue his helm at Lackawanna in addition to coaching the Pacers during the spring season.
"We are excited to welcome Coach Reiss to Marywood," Smith said. "We were impressed with his background experience with the highly successful Lackawanna College football program. As a coordinator there, he has had a hand in producing numerous all Americans and several professional players. We are confident that he will lead the ladies in the flag football program to success on the field and in the classroom."
Reiss leads a Falcons team that has developed into one of the premier junior college programs in the country. Lackawanna were the National Junior College Athletic Association runner-ups in 2022. In nine years of coordinating the defense, Reiss helped guide the Falcons to a 84-27 record (75 percent). During that time, the Falcons made four NJCAA postseason bids.
"I am very excited to be the first Head Football Coach of the flag football program at Marywood University," Reiss said. "My vision for the program is to develop student-athletes on and off the field, and compete for Atlantic East championships. I feel with hard work and the support of the faculty, staff, and student body, this vision will be attained."
During the 2019 campaign, the Falcons defense led by Reiss accumulated a top 10 finish in the NJCAA in most statistical categories. During his career, he has helped multiple student-athletes sign Division I scholarships and has coached multiple NFL players. Most recently, Reiss coached Kyzir White (Arizona Cardinals), Jaquan Brisker (Chicago Bears), and Ji'Ayir Brown (San Francisco 49ers).
Reiss developed 11 NJCAA All-Americans. He has nine straight seasons with a winning percentage. His teams have registered 11 shutout victories since 2014.
Reiss is responsible for the administration and development of defensive schemes and game plans at Lackawanna.
Prior to joining Lackawanna, Reiss was an associate head coach, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, Pa.
He holds Atavus Tackling Certification and USA Football - Heads Up Tackling/Contact Certification.
Reiss played defense at Juniata College in 2005 and 2006.
Reiss received an Associate's Degree in Sports Management from Lackawanna College , Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration from Juniata College, and a Master's Degree in Education-Coaching from Greenville University. He currently resides in Scranton with his wife Cat and daughters Raeleigh and Elliotte. He is a native of Wilkes-Barre and graduated from E.L. Meyers High School.
