Trey McCray enters his third season on the Gardner-Webb football staff and will continue coaching the team’s excellent corps at outside linebacker. He will also assist with the GWU special teams.
McCray has mentored his group into a fine overall unit during his time with the Runnin’ Bulldogs, developing depth that should pay dividends in 2017. Senior Donte’ Gordon and redshirt junior Kirk Messick move into the starting lineup this season after the graduation of perennial All-Big South selections Aaron Cook and Chad Geter.
Geter earned FCS All-America honors in 2016 after leading the Big South with 118 total tackles. Cook also earned All-Conference honors in 2016.
The pair helped Gardner-Webb rank No. 13 nationally in total defense as juniors, spearheading a unit that fared among the nation’s top-25 in seven total defensive categories – including third nationally in third down conversion defense. Geter led the squad with 92 total tackles and finished among the Big South’s leaders in sacks and tackles for loss.
McCray joined the Runnin’ Bulldogs after spending the past three seasons coaching the same position at North Greenville University. He is the son of Gardner-Webb head coach Carroll McCray and the nephew of current Texas State defensive coordinator Randall McCray.
McCray spent the 2012-2014 seasons coaching outside linebackers at North Greenville University. He handled play-calling duties for the Crusaders’ defense for the past two seasons – which included a 7-5 record and a 42-16 win over Shorter in the 2014 NCCAA Victory Bowl.
One of his charges, junior linebacker Taylor Anderson, earned BSN All-Super Region 2 honorable mention accolades after recording 123 total tackles in 2014. Anderson also earned honorable mention All-America honors from USA College Football and first-team All-NCCAA honors.
In 2013, linebacker Braelen Meredith earned first-team NCCAA All-America honors after pacing the Crusaders’ defense with 89 total tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Meredith improved each season with North Greenville, finishing with 185 career tackles, 34.5 career tackles for loss and 14.0 sacks. McCray also coached standout Jonathan Sharpe in 2012, with Sharpe later earning an NFL training camp slot with the Indianapolis Colts.
McCray graduated from Furman in 2011 with a degree in business administration and spent four years with the Paladins’ football squad as a tight end under head coach Bobby Lamb. He earned his MBA from North Greenville in 2014.
He played prep football at Rossview (Tenn.) High under coach Brian Bell, earning All-State, All-Region and All-Area honors at defensive end during his senior season.
McCray and his wife, Chelsea, were married this on April 23, 2016 in Greenville, S.C.
