Jerry Gray
Encyclopedia
Jerry Don Gray is a former American Football
cornerback
who played for the Los Angeles Rams
from 1985 to 1991, the Houston Oilers
in 1992, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
in 1993. He is currently the defensive coordinator
for the Tennessee Titans
.
four times attending the game from 1986 through 1989. In his final appearance he earned Pro Bowl MVP honors after recording 7 tackles and a 51-yard interception return for a touchdown.
between 1999 and 2000. Then was hired by former Titans defensive coordinator
Gregg Williams
to run the Buffalo Bills
defense the same year Williams left Tennessee to become the Buffalo Head Coach
. He served as the defensive coordinator
for the Buffalo Bills
from 2001 to 2005, where he oversaw one of the top defenses in the NFL until his final season. The Bills ranked 2nd in total defense in both 2003 and 2004. After the 2005 season he was hired by the Washington Redskins
to serve as their defensive backs coach under Jim Zorn
. During the 2009 season he applied for the head coaching position at the University of Memphis but was unsuccessful. At the end of the season, he was interviewed for the Redskins' head coach position despite the fact that Zorn was still in the job. It was theorized by some that Gray had no chance at getting the job and was merely being used by the organization to comply with the Rooney Rule
, so that Mike Shanahan
could immediately be appointed head coach once Zorn was fired. On January 18, 2010, Gray was hired as the new defensive backs coach for the Seattle Seahawks
.
On January 17, 2011, Gray returned to his alma mater to join the Texas Longhorns staff as assistant head coach and defensive backs coach. According to several stockers, the deal for Gray to return as Duane Akina
's replacement had been in works for several weeks prior to his hiring.
On February 12, 2011, Gray agreed to terms with the Tennessee Titans.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
who played for the Los Angeles Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
from 1985 to 1991, the Houston Oilers
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
in 1992, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
in 1993. He is currently the defensive coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
for the Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
.
Playing career
Jerry Gray was a two-time All American at the University of Texas. During his career, he was known for being an especially hard hitter. Gray was selected to the Pro BowlPro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
four times attending the game from 1986 through 1989. In his final appearance he earned Pro Bowl MVP honors after recording 7 tackles and a 51-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Coaching career
After retiring as a player, Gray turned to coaching. He served as the Defensive Backs coach for the Tennessee TitansTennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
between 1999 and 2000. Then was hired by former Titans defensive coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
Gregg Williams
Gregg Williams
Gregg Williams is the defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints and the former head coach of the Buffalo Bills. Considered one of the most respected defensive minds in the game, Williams is known for running aggressive, attacking 4-3 schemes that put heavy pressure on opposing...
to run the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
defense the same year Williams left Tennessee to become the Buffalo Head Coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
. He served as the defensive coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
for the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
from 2001 to 2005, where he oversaw one of the top defenses in the NFL until his final season. The Bills ranked 2nd in total defense in both 2003 and 2004. After the 2005 season he was hired by the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
to serve as their defensive backs coach under Jim Zorn
Jim Zorn
James Arthur "Jim" Zorn is an American quarterbacks coach in the National Football League. He was formerly the quarterbacks coach for the Baltimore Ravens and now holds that same position with the Kansas City Chiefs...
. During the 2009 season he applied for the head coaching position at the University of Memphis but was unsuccessful. At the end of the season, he was interviewed for the Redskins' head coach position despite the fact that Zorn was still in the job. It was theorized by some that Gray had no chance at getting the job and was merely being used by the organization to comply with the Rooney Rule
Rooney Rule
The Rooney Rule, established in 2003, requires National Football League teams to interview minority candidates for head coaching and senior football operation opportunities...
, so that Mike Shanahan
Mike Shanahan
Michael Edward "Mike" Shanahan is the 28th and current head coach of the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. Shanahan also holds the title of Vice President of Football Operations with the Redskins, giving him full control over player personnel with the team. Shanahan previously...
could immediately be appointed head coach once Zorn was fired. On January 18, 2010, Gray was hired as the new defensive backs coach for the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
.
On January 17, 2011, Gray returned to his alma mater to join the Texas Longhorns staff as assistant head coach and defensive backs coach. According to several stockers, the deal for Gray to return as Duane Akina
Duane Akina
Duane Akina is the assistant head coach and defensive backs coach for the Texas Longhorns football team.In 28 years of coaching football, Akina has coached three Thorpe Award winners in Darryll Lewis , Michael Huff , and Aaron Ross , as well as five finalists for the award, among them Chris...
's replacement had been in works for several weeks prior to his hiring.
On February 12, 2011, Gray agreed to terms with the Tennessee Titans.