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For
Immediate Release
JETS TAB JIMMY RAYE AS SENIOR OFFENSIVE ASSISTANT
The New York Jets announced today the hiring of Jimmy Raye to the team’s coaching staff. Raye, a veteran of 25 NFL seasons as an assistant coach, joins Jets head coach Herman Edwards’ staff after having most recently served as the Washington Redskins’ offensive coordinator in 2001. With the Jets, Raye will serve the team in the newly created position of senior offensive assistant. Prior to joining the Redskins, Raye worked for the Kansas City Chiefs (1992-2000) in a variety of roles, beginning as an offensive assistant/tight ends coach (1992-93), running backs coach (1994-1997) and offensive coordinator (1998-2000). While with the Chiefs, Raye worked closely with Edwards, Jets general manager Terry Bradway and current Jets offensive coordinator Paul Hackett. Raye was an integral part of the Chiefs’ run which saw the team qualify for the playoffs six times in nine seasons and capture AFC West championships in 1995 and 1997. “Jimmy brings 25 years of NFL experience to the table,” said Edwards. “I was fortunate enough to work with Jimmy in Kansas City and had the opportunity to observe how well he and Paul Hackett worked together. Jimmy has a great understanding of the running game and passing game and working with the skill positions. He pretty much has done it all in terms of coaching all the positions on offense throughout his career. “He’s a disciplined guy and demands a lot from the players and, in return, they play hard for him. He’ll be a great addition to our coaching staff.” Raye, 55, was a standout quarterback for the Michigan State Spartans (1965-67) and led the Spartans to two Big Ten titles and the 1966 Rose Bowl. He switched to the defensive backfield at the professional level for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1969, where he was a teammate of current Jets defensive backs coach Bill Bradley. The Fayetteville, NC native began his coaching career in 1971 at his alma mater, Michigan State, where he stayed for five years (1971-75). He served a brief stint at Wyoming in 1976 before moving to the NFL ranks, beginning with San Francisco (1977), Detroit (1977-79), Atlanta (1980-82, 1987-89), the Los Angeles Rams (1983-84, 1991), Tampa Bay (1985-86) and New England (1990). Raye has served as an offensive coordinator on five separate occasions in the NFL, with the Rams (on two separate occasions--1983-84, 1991), Tampa Bay (1985-86), New England (1990) and most recently, with Washington (2001). Raye and his wife, Edwena, are the parents of two children, daughter Robin and son, Jimmy III, who currently serves as the San Diego Chargers’ director of college scouting. Jimmy Raye’s Biography to Follow
JIMMY RAYE Was named the Jets senior offensive assistant on 2/19/02 after spending the 2001 season as the offensive coordinator of the Washington Redskins...under Raye’s tutelage, Washington’s offense finished 4th in the NFC in rushing and 8th overall in the NFL and threw for the 6th fewest INT in the league (13)…prior to joining the Redskins, Raye was with the Kansas City Chiefs (1992-2000), the last 3 years which he served as the team’s offensive coordinator…under Raye’s guidance the Chiefs gained more than 5,600 yards in 2000, the 2nd most in team history, and posted 390 points in 1999, the 3rd highest scoring output in team history and its most prolific season in 32 years…Raye joined the Chiefs in 1992 as an offensive assistant and tight ends coach…he then moved on to coach the running backs for 5 seasons…from ’95-97 the Chiefs ranked as the 3rd best rushing attack in the NFL averaging 136.0 yards per game…the Chiefs led the league in rushing in 1995 when they averaged an impressive 138.9 yards per game as the club produced a 13-3 record and won the AFC West crown…while working with the Chiefs backs Raye had the opportunity to help revitalize the career of the Hall of Fame RB Marcus Allen…during Allen’s 4 seasons with the Chiefs he rushed for 3,698 yards and a club-record 44 TD…also while with the Chiefs Raye honed the skills of 3-time Pro Bowl FB Kimble Anders…Raye has also held the title of offensive coordinator with New England(1990), Tampa Bay (1985-86) and St. Louis (1983-84, 1991)…in his previous tenures overseeing the offenses Raye has displayed a penchant for maximizing productivity in the running game…the Rams ranked 2nd in the NFL in rushing 1984 as Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson became only the 2nd player to ever top the 2,000-yard rushing mark with an NFL-record 2,105 rushing yards…in his 2 seasons with Tampa Bay, James Wilder reigned as one of the league’s top all-purpose threats, combining for 96 pass receptions and 2,004 rushing yards (1985-86)…Raye also has an extensive background as an instructor of the passing game, serving 2 stints as Atlanta’s WR coach (1987-89, 1980-82) and holding the same position with the Rams in 1983…in 1978-79 he coached the Detroit Lions offensive backs after entering the pro coaching ranks in 1977 as the San Francisco 49ers receivers coach…on the college level, Raye coached at his alma mater, Michigan State (1971-75) and at Wyoming (1976)…enjoyed a stellar collegiate career as a QB for Michigan State (1965-67) and led the Spartans to 2 Big Ten titles and a 1966 Rose Bowl appearance…he also started in the “Battle of the Century” against Notre Dame in 1966 that ended in a 10-10 tie…once in the NFL Raye was converted into a DB and played for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1969, where he was a teammate of Jets DB coach Bill Bradley…graduated from Michigan State with a B.A. in 1967…in 1998 he founded the Jimmy Raye Youth Foundation, a program which allows underprivileged youth to broaden their horizons through golf and other athletic endeavors which they may not otherwise be exposed to…born March 26, 1946 in Fayetteville, NC…wife Edwena, daughter Robin and son, Jimmy III, a former WR at San Diego State (1988-90) who currently serves as the director of college scouting for the San Diego Chargers. JIMMY RAYE’S PLAYING AND COACHING HISTORY 1965-67 Michigan State Quarterback 1969 Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Back 1971-75 Michigan State Passing Game Coordinator 1976 University of Wyoming Wide Receivers 1977 San Francisco 49ers Wide Receivers 1978-79 Detroit Lions Running Backs 1980-82 Atlanta Falcons Wide Receivers 1983-1984 Los Angeles Rams Wide Receivers 1985-86 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Running Backs 1987-89 Atlanta Falcons Wide Receivers 1990 New England Patriots Offensive Coordinator 1991 St. Louis Rams Offensive Coordinator 1992 Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Assistant & Tight Ends 1993-97 Kansas City Chiefs Running Backs 1998-00 Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Coordinator 2001 Washington Redskins Offensive Coordinator 2002- New York Jets Senior Offensive Assistant |