Former FAMU grider and NFL star Quinn Gray recently opened up about his decision to return to The Hill as the new quarterback coach."It's an honor and a pleasure. This is where I consider the place I grew up. It's been a dream of mine to come back to my alma mater," Gray passionately said.
To the satisfaction of Head Coach Joe Taylor, Gray joins defensive coordinator Earl Holmes as former standout players on the Rattler coaching staff. Gray will acquire some of the duties that were allotted to Steven Jerry, as he was responsible for both receivers and quarterbacks. With this addition, the duties will allow each to concentrate solely on critical areas of each football team, with Gray handling quarterbacks and Jerry handling receivers. Jerry will also assume the role of recruiting coordinator on the Rattler staff.
Gray was a quarterback for the Rattlers from 1998-2001, during the high-flying era of Coach Billy Joe and went on to a career in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He came back during his NFL playing days to complete his degree in Physical Education in 2006. Gray comes to the Rattler staff from Andrew Jackson High School in Jacksonville, where he was head coach.
At FAMU, Gray was known for his rocket arm, and his corps of receivers who top the list of FAMU all-time greats. Gray was FAMU's most prolific slinger, with 7,378 passing yards for his career. He had the top five FAMU performances in TD receptions with receivers Tariq Qaiyim (1998-17 TDs), Cainon Lamb (1998 & 1999-13 TDs), and Jacquay Nunnally (1998-12 TDs).
Gray played four years with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars claimed Gray after he won World Bowl XI, the European League Championship, as a member of the Frankfurt Galaxy.
He would backup Jaguars quarterback David Garrard for three seasons. In 2007, with an injury to Garrard, he started three games at the end of the season. He went 2-1 as the starter.
Gray is excited about the quarterbacks at FAMU. "As a group they are very talented. You can tell that right off. Austin Trainor has a rifle for an arm. Behind him we have Tyler Bass. As soon as he gets a better hold of the offensive scheme, he'll be a guy that could help us tremendously," Gray said.
Taylor feels that Gray's professional experience is attractive to his players. "In modern day football each position needs his own segment coach. A guy of Quinn's caliber, who played in the orange and green at a high level and then went on to the NFL for years, brings tremendous value to our program in terms of really allowing our quarterbacks to reach their maximum potential. We're just blessed and really fortunate to have him come back," Taylor said.