Dr. Billy Jack Ray enters his eighth season as the offensive line coach at Sul Ross State University in 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the program.
With a coaching career that spans over two decades, Ray's journey in football has been marked by significant contributions both on the field and in academia.
Before joining Sul Ross, Ray served as the tight ends coach at Tarleton State University from 2009 to 2011, where he played a key role in developing the team's offensive strategies.
His coaching career also includes a successful tenure as the head coach and defensive coordinator for the San Angelo Stampede Express in the Indoor Football League (IFL) in 2009.
Prior to that, he was the offensive line and run game coordinator for various teams in the indoor football circuit, including the Frisco Thunder (IFL, 2008), the Texas Copperheads (AF, 2006-2007) and the Lubbock Gunslingers (NIFL, 2005).
Ray's coaching philosophy is deeply rooted in his playing career, which began at the collegiate level with Texas Tech University, where he finished his time as a Red Raider in 1997.
He was a two-year starter at Tarleton State University from 1994-1995 before embarking on an eight-year professional playing career in the indoor football league.
His professional playing experience includes stints with the Texas Bullets (1997-1998), Bismarck Blaze (1999-2000), and Lubbock Lone Stars (2001-2004).
Beyond the gridiron, Dr. Ray is a dedicated educator, serving as the Chair of the Kinesiology department, as well as the Graduate Program Coordinator and an Associate Professor of Kinesiology at Sul Ross State University since 2017.
His academic credentials are equally impressive, holding a bachelor's degree in kinesiology (2011), a master's degree in kinesiology (2013), and a doctorate in educational leadership (2019), all from Tarleton State University.
Dr. Ray and his wife, Jennifer, who is an Associate Professor of Education at Sul Ross, reside in Alpine, Texas. They have two sons, Zeke and Nolan Miller who reside in Stephenville, Texas. His dual commitment to coaching and education makes him a valuable asset to both the athletic and academic communities at Sul Ross State University.
