John Ray (American football)

John Ray
Sport(s) Football
Biographical details
Born (1926-06-04)June 4, 1926
Detroit, Michigan
Died November 14, 2007(2007-11-14) (aged 81)
Granger, Indiana
Playing career
1944 Notre Dame
Position(s) Center
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
19551958 Detroit (assistant)
19591963 John Carroll
19641968 Notre Dame (assistant)
19691972 Kentucky
19731976 Buffalo Bills (DC)
Head coaching record
Overall 3939
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
3 PAC (1959, 19621963)

John W. Ray (June 4, 1926 November 14, 2007) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at John Carroll University from 1959 to 1963 and at the University of Kentucky from 1969 to 1972, compiling a career college football record of 3939.

Ray was a native of Detroit, Michigan and grew up in South Bend, Indiana. He played football at Notre Dame and at Olivet College. After graduating Ray was the head football coach at Sturgis High School and Three Rivers High School, both in Michigan, and then was an assistant coach at the University of Detroit and head coach at John Carroll University from 1959 to 1963.

From 1964 to 1968 Ray served as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator at Notre Dame under Ara Parseghian. He oversaw a 4-4-3 defense that gave up a measly 3.8 points a game in 1966, leading Notre Dame to an undefeated national championship that season.

Ray became the head coach at the University of Kentucky in late 1968, replacing Charlie Bradshaw. In his second game, Kentucky upset quarterback Archie Manning's highly regarded Ole Miss team, which was ranked #8 in the AP poll, by a score of 109. Ray also coached the Wildcats to a 163 win over #13 ranked Kansas State in 1970. The Wildcats also lost close games to ranked teams such as #9 Tennessee (3126 in 1969), at #5 Ole Miss (2017, 1970), at #15 LSU (147, 1970) and #12 LSU (1713, 1971). However, Ray's teams played very solid defense but consistently lacked the players to play well on both sides of the ball. Over his four years as head coach, Kentucky won only 10 games while losing 33. In 1969 Kentucky finished 28; in 1970, 29; in 1971 and 1972 the Wildcats' final record was 38 each season. Ray's contract was not renewed after the 1972 season and he was replaced by Fran Curci.

During Ray's tenure, Kentucky's recruitment of African-American players increased, notably with star running back Sonny Collins. Ray brought more African-American players to Kentucky than any previous coach, and did so at a time when African-American players were rare in the Southeastern Conference. Also during Ray's tenure plans were made and construction undertaken for Commonwealth Stadium, the current home of the Wildcats. While at Kentucky Ray coached future NFL players such as Dave Roller and Joe Federspiel.

After leaving Kentucky Ray was an assistant coach in the NFL including as defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills.

Ray died at his home in Granger, Indiana at age 81 on November 14, 2007.

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
John Carroll Blue Streaks (Presidents' Athletic Conference) (1959–1963)
1959 John Carroll 70 60 1st
1960 John Carroll 34 32 T3rd
1961 John Carroll 52 41 2nd
1962 John Carroll 70 70 1st
1963 John Carroll 70 70 1st
John Carroll: 296
Kentucky Wildcats (Southeastern Conference) (1969–1972)
1969 Kentucky 28 16 9th
1970 Kentucky 29 07 10th
1971 Kentucky 38 16 T8th
1972 Kentucky 38 25 T7th
Kentucky: 1033 1230
Total: 3939
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title

References

    External links

    Sporting positions
    Preceded by
    Jim Dooley
    Buffalo Bills Defensive Coordinator
    19731976
    Succeeded by
    Jimmy Carr
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