Michael Gray is in his third season as an assistant coach with the Gardner-Webb program and will work with the Runnin’ Bulldogs linebackers once again in 2022. Gray’s last two seasons have been productive, with rising junior linebacker William McRainey emerging as one of the top tacklers in the Big South. McRainey led the league in total hits in 2021 and was a first-team All-Big South Conference selection, helping the Gardner-Webb defense lead the Big South in third down defense as a unit.
Gray’s work with a young group during the spring of 2021 helped Gardner-Webb’s defense make huge leaps in terms of production and, despite a rash of injuries this past season, the linebacker corps remained a strong part of the Gardner-Webb attack.
Prior to joining the GWU staff, Gray spent two seasons as a graduate assistant with Coach Dave Doeren’s staff at NC State in the Atlantic Coast Conference. During his time with the Wolfpack, he was part of a staff that helped the 2018 team to a 9-4 record and a spot in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla.
Prior to his stint in the state capitol, Gray worked as a defensive intern in 2017 at Western Kentucky – working primarily with the Hilltoppers’ safeties that season. WKU won six games in the regular season that year and earned a berth in the Cure Bowl.
Gray played collegiately at Mercer University in Georgia, finishing his career with 180 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, three sacks and three interceptions. Gray played both linebacker and safety during his time with the Bears.
He actually started his coaching career during the spring semester following his final season, working with Coach Bobby Lamb’s staff as an undergraduate defensive line coach – working in that role with former Gardner-Webb lineman Kenny Baker. Gray earned a BBA with a double major in sports business and marketing from Mercer in 2017. He graduated Cum Laude with a 3.6 grade point average.
A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Gray starred at Creekside High – earning All-County honors twice at safety. He finished his career as the school’s all-time leader in pass breakups, interceptions and blocked kicks. Gray also finished as the program’s second-leading tackler.
