Ryan Ray joined the University of Arizona track & field and cross-country staff in 2021 as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the cross country and distance track programs.Â
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In his first year at Arizona, Ray coached Grace Driskill to a new (11-year-old) school record in the 3000m Steeplechase, first team all-Pac12 conference, and 1
st round qualifier for the NCAA championships. Ray also successfully recruited one of the best recruiting classes in the nation, signing several student-athletes ranked top-10, top-20, and top-50 in the nation. Including the Arizona State, Washington State, and California CIF champions in the 800m, 1600m, 3200m, and XC.
Prior to Arizona, Ray was the assistant cross country and distance coach at Arizona State University. Ray coached Lena Lebrun to qualify for the 1st round of the NCAA championships in the 3000m steeplechase and freshman Vinny Marui to first team all-pac12 and national qualifier for the 1500m. Ray also acted as recruiting coordinator for the distance group successfully recruiting Dayton Carlson who broke the school record in the 800m and earned all-American as a freshman.Â
Before ASU, coached at Boise State University where he was a part of a successful coaching staff that coached several athletes to All-Mountain West Conference, All-West Region, All-Americans, and men’s and women’s teams to the cross-country national championship. He also worked with 2020 Mountain West indoor mile and 5K champions Ahmed Muhumed and Yukino Parle. Additionally, Ray was the lead recruiter, his efforts ultimately landing several top national athletes.
Ray is the son of former USA middle-distance national coach and University of California Riverside director of cross country and track & field Irv Ray. Ray senior coached several national championship teams, All-Americans, and Olympians during his 30-year career.Â
Ray earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from North Park University in Chicago, Ill. Ray is a certified USA Track and Field level 1 coach.
