Gray was a two-time consensus first-team All-American at the University of Texas. During his career, he was known for being an especially hard hitter. He had 297 career tackles, 16 interceptions and 20 passes broken up and played on four bowl teams at Texas coached by Fred Akers. In 2013, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Playing career
Gray was the Rams' first-round choice in the 1985 NFL Draft and played seven years in Los Angeles before finishing his career with the Oilers in 1992 and the Buccaneers in 1993. He had 28 career interceptions, including six for the Oilers in 1992. Gray was selected to the Pro Bowl four times attending the game from 1986 through 1989. In his final appearance he earned Pro Bowl MVP honors after recording 7 tackles and a 51-yard interception return for a touchdown. In 2001, Gray was nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but was not chosen as a semi-finalist.
Coaching career
After retiring as a player, Gray turned to coaching. His coaching career began in 1995 as a defensive backs coach for the SMU Mustangs football team. He then worked for the Tennessee Oilers as a Defensive Quality Control coach from 1997 to 1998 before being promoted to defensive backs coach in 1999 when the team name was changed from "Oilers" to "Titans". In 2001, he was hired by former Titans defensive coordinatorGregg Williams to run the Buffalo Bills defense the same year Williams left Tennessee to become the Buffalo Head Coach. He served as the defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills from 2001 to 2005, where he oversaw one of the top defenses in the NFL until his final season. The Bills ranked 2nd in total defense in both 2003 and 2004. After the 2005 season he was hired by the Washington Redskins to serve as their defensive backs coach On January 18, 2010, Gray was hired as the new defensive backs coach for the Seattle Seahawks where he coached the rookie safety tandem of Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor. On January 17, 2011, Gray agreed to return to his alma mater Texas as the assistant head coach and defensive backs coach. On February 12, 2011, however, Gray rejoined the Titans as their defensive coordinator. On January 22, 2014, Gray was hired as the new defensive backs coach for the Minnesota Vikings. On January 29, 2020, Gray was hired as defensive backs coach for the Green Bay Packers.
Personal life
Gray and his wife Sherry, also from Lubbock, have two sons together. The eldest was a defensive back for the SMU Mustangs. Gray started the Jerry Gray Foundation in 2002 and it continues to actively supports youth in Lubbock, providing scholarships in partnership with Texas Tech.
