Demetrie McCray enters his first season as Wide Receivers Coach at Allen University, bringing 18 years of coaching experience at both the collegiate and high school levels. Throughout his career, McCray has built a reputation as one of the top developers of defensive backs and skill players, coaching conference award winners, All-Americans, All-Conference selections, All-State performers, and professional football players.
McCray joined Allen University after spending the 2025 season at White Knoll High School, where he immediately made an impact in the secondary. His defensive backs earned two South Carolina All-State selections and an All-Region honor while helping establish one of the state’s top defensive back units.
Prior to White Knoll, McCray served as Associate Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Pass Game Coordinator, and Defensive Backs Coach at Lincoln University (Pa.). During his tenure, he transformed the Lions’ secondary into one of the CIAA’s most improved units, producing multiple All-Conference defensive backs while significantly improving the team’s pass defense and takeaway production. His player development extended beyond college, as former standout Kai Gray advanced to the United Football League (UFL) and Kentrell Pierce continued his career in the National Arena League. (NAL)
Before Lincoln, McCray spent five seasons at Benedict College, helping build one of the nation’s top NCAA Division II defenses. The Tigers consistently ranked among the national leaders in scoring defense, rushing defense, red-zone defense, and total defense while competing for SIAC championships. During his tenure, McCray coached an NCAA Division II All-American, and four of his five seasons produced an All-SIAC defensive back, highlighting his consistency in developing elite talent.
McCray began his collegiate coaching career at his Alma mater, Albany State University, in 2009. In just his second season, he helped lead the Golden Rams to the 2010 HBCU National Championship while coaching the SIAC Defensive Player of the Year and three All-SIAC selections.
A standout cornerback at Albany State, McCray was a three-year starting who finished fifth nationally in passes defended per game. 2-Time 1st Team All-Conference Selection and holds the career interceptions record (15). After his collegiate career, he played eight seasons of professional arena football, where he was was a 4-Time All-Arena selection, 44 career interceptions and a league championship in 2011, bringing that experience into a coaching career centered on technical excellence, discipline, and player development.
Throughout his 17 year coaching career, McCray has coached:
An HBCU National Championship team
An NCAA Division II All-American
A SIAC Defensive Player of the Year
Multiple All-Conference performers
Two South Carolina All-State players
Professional players in the UFL and NAL
McCray and his wife Bridget have 2 children Skylar (18) and Demetrie Jr (13)
