Alex Gray Named Defensive Coordinator for John Carroll Football

1/10/2024 11:12:00 AM | By: Joe Ginley '16, SID

Alex Gray has over 20 years of coaching experience, including 11 seasons as a defensive coordinator.

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS – John Carroll Football is gaining a veteran, experienced defensive coordinator.

Bringing over 20 years of coaching experience, Alex Gray is the new defensive coordinator for the Blue Streaks.

Gray sports 11 seasons of experience as a coordinator, including several at his last stop, St. Thomas University in Florida.

"I'm thrilled to welcome Alex, his wife Shannon, and their three daughters, Rose, Marcella and Elizabeth to the John Carroll University community," said Head Coach Jeff Behrman '95. "Alex is a transformative leader, teacher and relationship builder. His character, integrity and work ethic makes him the perfect person to lead our defense. He brings a sound, aggressive, and exciting brand of defense. I'm excited for our players to meet Alex."

Gray is a native Clevelander, growing up just 10 minutes away from John Carroll. Gray graduated from Orange High School in 2000 before heading to play football at Walsh University.

Gray is thrilled to be returning home, where much of his family still lives.

"I've admired the program from afar for a long time, I respect the history and the strong campus community," said Gray. "Coming back home is everything. For my wife and kids, it's important for them to experience living in a great Midwest city, and see our family. I'm excited to see my parents, brothers, nieces, cousins, and everyone on a weekly basis. It will fill a void that I've had the last seven seasons and will be great for my family."

Gray's resume is filled with positive experiences at the various schools he's coached for over the year. Most recently, Gray spent a five-year stint at St. Thomas in Miami Gardens, Florida. Gray served as assistant head coach/defensive coordinator/assistant athletic director. During his time with the Bobcats, Gray worked on the same staff as former JCU head coach Regis Scafe and current JCU quarterbacks coach Ron Dolciato.

The Bobcats achieved plenty during Gray's tenure, including the program's first playoff appearance. Gray's defenses ranked highly nationally in the NAIA in several stat categories, including sixth in rush yards per game this past season. The Bobcats topped the Sun Conference in scoring defense, red zone defense, and sacks.

"I want to give a heartfelt thanks to the St. Thomas community," said Gray. "I'd like to thank Bill Rychel, Dave Armstrong, and all of the players at St. Thomas over the last five years who have given me an opportunity to coach them. I owe everyone a special bit of gratitude, as I've enjoyed building this program. The Sun Conference and NAIA football as a whole has really good coaches and programs."

Prior to St. Thomas, Gray coached alongside Bill Rychel at Wayne State University (wide receivers/co-special teams in 2017), Malone University (defensive coordinator in 2016), and nearby Notre Dame College (co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs from 2013-15).

Gray's coaching career began at Walsh University in 2005. After coaching at Orange, Gray returned to Walsh for a three-year stint from 2008-10. He also spent the 2011 season at Springfield High School as defensive coordinator, the 2012 campaign at Hiram as defensive backs/outside linebackers coach, and the 2018 season at Army West Point Prep School as defensive coordinator.

Across his stops, Gray has become a savvy coach with a diverse approach to defense.

"Our style is multiple, because we try to play defense the way teams play offense," said Gray. "We want the offense to defend itself. We accomplish that with different fronts, pressures, and a handful of coverages. We'll change some things week to week, for the sake of evolving, and we've had a lot of success doing it that way. We'll get into different personnel packages to put all 11 defenders in a position to be successful. Our first order of business is highlighting the strengths of each person and playing to those strengths.

"I want our defense to be relentless, disciplined, and feared. We'll be fast and physical, including running to the ball, while being the aggressors on defenses to prevent offenses from getting too exotic."

Gray is grateful for the opportunity, and feels fortunate to get this opportunity at JCU.

"I want to thank Jeff Behrman and Brian Polian for this opportunity," said Gray. "I also want to be sure to thank Ron Dolciato and Regis Scafe. I'm thankful to be aboard, and extremely excited to be a part of John Carroll Football."

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