Jimmy Raye II facts for kids
Raye at 49ers training camp in August 2010
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| No. 30 | |
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| Position: | Cornerback |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | March 26, 1946 Fayetteville, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight: | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | E. E. Smith (Fayetteville, North Carolina) |
| College: | Michigan State |
| NFL Draft: | 1968 / Round: 16 / Pick: 431 |
| Career history | |
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| As coach: | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Player stats at PFR | |
| Coaching stats at PFR | |
Jimmy Raye II (born March 26, 1946) is a well-known American football coach and former player. He has had a long and successful career in football, both on the field and on the sidelines.
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Playing Football
Jimmy Raye went to E. E. Smith High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He was a talented athlete from a young age.
College Career at Michigan State
At college, Jimmy Raye played as a quarterback for the Michigan State Spartans. He was a backup player for the team that went to the 1966 Rose Bowl in 1965.
The next year, in 1966, Raye became the starting quarterback. He led the Spartans in a famous game against Notre Dame. This game ended in a 10–10 tie and is often called "The Game of the Century."
Jimmy Raye was a pioneer. He was the first black quarterback from the Southern United States to win a national title. This happened with the 1966 Michigan State team. He joined other amazing players like Bubba Smith, George Webster, and Gene Washington at Michigan State. These players came from the South to play for coach Duffy Daugherty.
Joining the NFL
After college, Jimmy Raye was chosen by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1968 NFL Draft. He was drafted to play as a cornerback. Soon after, he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Coaching Football
After his playing days, Jimmy Raye began a long and impressive coaching career.
Early Coaching Years
He started coaching in 1971 at his old college, Michigan State. He stayed there for five years, helping the team as an assistant coach. He then coached briefly at Wyoming in 1976 and Texas in 1977.
Coaching in the NFL
In 1977, Jimmy Raye moved to the NFL. He coached in the NFL for a total of 36 years! During this time, he worked with 10 different teams.
He spent 13 seasons as an offensive coordinator. This is a very important coaching role, where you plan how the team will score points. He was an offensive coordinator for teams like:
- The Los Angeles Rams (1983–1984)
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986)
- The New England Patriots (1990)
- The Kansas City Chiefs (1998–2000)
- The Washington Redskins (2001)
- The Oakland Raiders (2004–2005)
- The San Francisco 49ers (2009–2010)
Time with the San Francisco 49ers
After the 2009 season, Jimmy Raye was praised for his ability to adjust the team's offense. This was especially helpful when key players got injured. He continued as the 49ers' offensive coordinator for the start of the 2010 season. This was a big deal because it was the first time in seven years that the 49ers had the same offensive coordinator for two seasons in a row. However, he was let go after the 49ers lost their first three games in 2010.
Helping Young People
In 1998, Jimmy Raye started the Jimmy Raye Youth Foundation. This foundation helps young people who might not have many opportunities.
Family Life
Jimmy Raye's son, Jimmy Raye III, also works in football. He is currently a senior executive advisor for the general manager of the Cleveland Browns.
