| Craig Bray |
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Defensive Coordinator/Secondary
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ASSIGNMENT: Defensive Coordinator/Secondary
COLLEGE: Nevada-Las Vegas, 1975
AGE: Born 12/12/51, Yreka, CA
YEAR AT OSU: 3rd
JOINED OSU STAFF: February 14, 2000
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT:
*Nevada-Las Vegas, 1975
*Nevada-Reno, 1976-79
*Northern Arizona, 1980-83
*Idaho, 1984-85
*Wyoming, 1986
*Washington State, 1987-88
*Miami, 1989 (Spring)
*Idaho, 1989-93
*Washington State, 1994-99
*OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY, 2000-Present
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE:
(1975)--Craig got his first coaching job at his alma mater, UNLV, and spent the 1975 season coaching the Rebels’ wide receivers.
(1976-79)--Craig joined the staff of Nevada-Reno in 1976 and coached wide receivers during the 1976 and ‘77 seasons. He became the Wolf Pack’s secondary coach for two seasons, 1978-79. (1980-83)--Craig moved to Northern Arizona in 1980 and coached the Lumberjacks’ secondary for four years.
(1984-85)--Craig joined Dennis Erickson for the first time in 1984 when he became the secondary coach at the University of Idaho for two seasons.
(1986)--Craig followed Erickson to the University of Wyoming in 1986 and served as secondary coach.
(1987-88)--Craig followed Erickson to Washington State University in 1987 and he continued to coach the secondary for Erickson for two seasons. The 1988 Cougar team defeated the University of Houston in the Aloha Bowl at Honolulu.
(1989-93)--Craig was offered the opportunity to follow Erickson to the University of Miami in 1989 and spent the Spring coaching on the Hurricanes’ staff. Following Spring practice he returned to the Pacific Northwest and joined Coach John L. Smith at the University of Idaho as defensive coordinator while also coaching the safeties. The 1990 Vandal secondary led the Big Sky Conference with 29 interceptions and 39 take-aways. The 1992 Idaho team had the best defense in the Big Sky and ranked seventh in the nation in total defense.
(1994-1999)--Craig returned to Washington State in 1994 as secondary coach for Coach Mike Price, a position he held until joining Erickson at Oregon State. During his stint with the Cougars, WSU played in the 1994 Alamo Bowl and the 1998 Rose Bowl.
(2000)--Craig once again reunited with Erickson when he joined the Oregon State staff in February to become defensive coordinator and also coach the secondary.
PREP ATHLETIC RECORD: Craig attended Yreka High School in Yreka, CA. He earned three letters in football and four in basketball. Craig lettered as a wide receiver and defensive back in football, earning All-Northern California honors as a senior. He also earned preseason All-Northern California honors as a senior in basketball. He graduated in 1970.
COLLEGE ATHLETIC RECORD: Craig attended the College of Siskiyous from 1970-72 and played football for two seasons under Coach Jim Ray. He moved to UNLV in 1972 as a wide receiver and was forced to redshirt in 1972 as a result of a knee injury. He returned to action as a starter in 1973 and ‘74. Graduated from UNLV in 1975.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Yreka High School (1970), Yreka, CA. Attended College of Siskiyous, Weed, CA from 1970-72. Attended Nevada-Las Vegas from 1972-75 and earned a B.A. in secondary education.
PERSONAL: Craig is married to the former Kaprice Rupp, who was head coach of the Washington State University women’s volleyball team in 1985. Craig and Kaprice have two sons, Josh (8/13/80) and Trenton (9/28/82). Trent will be a redshirt freshman linebacker this fall on the Oregon State football team.
RECRUITING AREA: Northern California, Washington
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: While serving as defensive coordinator at Idaho (1989-93), the Vandals led the Big Sky Conference in interceptions in 1990 with 29. His 1992 Idaho defense led the Big Sky and ranked seventh in the nation. As an assistant coach at Washington State, the Cougars participated in the 1988 Aloha Bowl, the 1994 Alamo Bowl and the 1998 Rose Bowl. He coached some outstanding defensive backs at WSU. The list includes four players participating in postseason bowl games and nine pro players. Players in postseason bowls included Torey Hunter (1994 Senior Bowl); Shad Hinchen (1996 Blue-Gray Game); Duane Stewart (1997 Hula Bowl) and Dee Moronkola (1998 Hula Bowl and Blue-Gray Game). The nine pro players included James Hasty (3rd round, New York Jets), Hunter (3rd round, Houston) and Moronkola (7th round, Jacksonville), while the following signed as free agents, Brian Walker, Hinchen, Ray Jackson and Singor Mobley and John Rushing with the Canadian Football League. OSU’s defense under Craig ranked No. 1 in the Pac-10 and 20th nationally in total defense in 2000, yielding only 314 yards per game. The Beavers were also No. 1 in team scoring defense (18.45 points per game) and 16th nationally. Craig’s secondary picked off 22 passes in 2000, which was No. 1 in the Pac-10 and fifth nationally. OSU ranked third in the Pac-10 defensively in 2001, while cornerback Dennis Weathersby was selected All-American and tackle Eric Manning All-Pacific-10.
