The Redskins have hired former Buffalo Bills assistant coach Jerry Gray as secondary-cornerbacks coach, the team announced on Monday. Gray replaces DeWayne Walker, who has left the staff to become a defensive coach with UCLA.
Gray brings more than 18 years of NFL experience to Washington, including the last five seasons as defensive coordinator with the Bills. While in Buffalo, he coached under Redskins' assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams from 2001-03. Williams was Buffalo's head coach during that span.
"We are ecstatic to have a coach with the caliber and experience of Jerry Gray joining our staff," Williams said. "Obviously I am familiar with Jerry from our previous experiences together and know that he is a great fit for our defense. He adds a new dynamic to our coaching staff and will help us continue to be one of the top defenses in the NFL."
Added Williams: "We wish DeWayne all the best in his new endeavor. He did a tremendous job for us in his two years here in working with our corners, developing them into an outstanding unit."
The addition of Gray brings the number of former defensive coordinators on the staff to four. Gray joins Williams, Greg Blache and Dale Lindsey.
Although Gray's defense in Buffalo slipped to 29th in the NFL last season, in 2004 he helped mold a defense that finished in the top five in yards allowed per game (264.2), passing yards allowed per game (164.0) and sacks registered (45). His defense ranked No. 1 overall in turnovers forced with 39.
In 2003, Gray's defense finished the year ranked second in the NFL in total defense. The unit was ranked second against the pass and eighth against the run.
Prior to his time in Buffalo, Gray served four seasons as an assistant with the Tennessee Titans, including the last two as defensive backs coach. He helped Tennessee finish as the NFL's No. 1-ranked pass defense and total defense in 2000. He originally started with the Titans as defensive assistant-quality control coach in 1997.
Gray played under Williams in Houston and is a former teammate of Redskins passing game-safeties coach Steve Jackson. Gray played nine seasons in the NFL, reaching the Pro Bowl four times from 1986-89). He was also named the NFL's Defensive Back of the Year in 1989 and earned Pro Bowl MVP honors in 1990.
The Redskins also announced Monday that defensive assistant coach Kirk Olivadotti was elevated to the defensive line-special teams assistant coach.
