Jerry Gray Emerges as Likely Candidate for University of Memphis Football Coaching Position

Strategic Insights -

Jerry Gray, secondary coach for the Washington Redskins, is gaining momentum as the top contender to replace Tommy West as the University of Memphis football coach after a successful interview on Tuesday. Gray, a 20-year NFL coaching veteran, was joined by LSU assistant Larry Porter, a former Memphis running back, as the top two candidates for the position. The University of Memphis athletic director, R.C. Johnson, hinted at making a decision as early as next week, citing an impressive pool of eight candidates who have been interviewed.

Key Takeaways:

  • Jerry Gray, 46, is a former defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills and has spent 20 years in the NFL as a player and assistant coach.
  • Gray was interviewed on Tuesday by University of Memphis president Shirley Raines, athletic director R.C. Johnson, and FedEx founder and CEO Fred Smith.
  • Larry Porter, 37, a two-time national recruiter of the year, has been successful recruiting the Memphis area for LSU and has strong support in the community.
  • R.C. Johnson has interviewed eight candidates, including Hugh Freeze, Eddie Gran, Rick Stockstill, and Gunter Brewer, for the vacant coaching position.
  • The University of Memphis is poised to announce a new head coach as early as next week, pending a thorough evaluation of the candidates.

Statistics:

  • 20 years of NFL coaching experience for Jerry Gray.
  • 9 seasons of experience for Tommy West as University of Memphis head coach.
  • 2-9 is the current win-loss record for the University of Memphis football team.
  • 3 years of eligibility remaining for Cannon Smith, the younger son of FedEx founder and CEO Fred Smith, starting next fall.
  • 8 candidates have been interviewed by R.C. Johnson for the vacant coaching position.

Sources:

  • The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Tenn. (http://www.commercialappeal.com)
  • McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services)
  • National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) guidelines for transfer eligibility
  • University of Memphis athletic department and University of Memphis media releases.