John Ray was 29-6 in five years as football head coach at John Carroll, which included the only three undefeated seasons in JCU football history
Former John Carroll University football coach John Ray died at home of natural causes on Wednesday, November 14, at the age of 81.
A member of the John Carroll Athletic Hall of Fame, Ray served as the head coach of the Blue Streaks during the most dominant era of football in the school's history. Assuming the reigns of the program in 1959 following the retirement of Herb Eisele, Ray amassed a record of 29-6-0, which three undefeated seasons in 1959, 1962 and 1963.
Among the honors that came Ray's way during his five seasons at the helm of the Blue Streaks was National Catholic Coach of the Year in both 1959 and 1962.
Following the 1963 season, Ray would move on to the University of Notre Dame, where he would serve as Notre Dame's defensive line and linebackers coach under Ara Parseghian from 1964-1968, and was the assistant head coach in 1967-1968.
He went on to be head coach at the University of Kentucky from 1969-72.
Ray played fullback and center on the 1944 Notre Dame team. He eventually graduated from Olivet College.
