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Ray McCartney begins his sixth season at Wake Forest and his 12th year alongside head coach Jim Grobe. McCartney is Wake Forest's recruiting coordinator and defensive tackles coach.
In 2005, McCartney's defensive tackles, led by senior captain Goryal Scales, junior Jyles Tucker and sophomore Zach Stukes, were the first line of defense in Wake Forest's successful run defense. The Deacons limited opposing rushing attacks to just 133.5 yards per game. That equaled the fourth-best rushing defense in program history.
Prior to the 2004 season, the Deacons shifted from a 3-3-5 defensive alignment to a more traditional 4-3. At the same time, McCartney narrowed his focus to defensive tackles after coaching the entire line for three seasons.
The results were a success as the Deacons allowed fewer rushing yards, passing yards and total points than in the previous season despite operating with a youthful defensive line.
The change in defensive philosophy enabled Jerome Nichols to move inside where he performed exceptionally well, leading all defensive tackles with 22 tackles, 5.5 for loss and four pass break-ups.
In 2003, McCartney met the challenge of building a new defensive line. With all three starters graduating off the 2002 Seattle Bowl championship squad, Nichols emerged as an up-and-coming all-star candidate as a junior, leading Wake Forest in tackles for loss (11).
In 2002, Calvin Pace broke the school record for career tackles for loss and was named a first-team All-American, WFU's first such honoree in 10 seasons. He was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year by The Sporting News and earned all-conference honors for the second straight year.
McCartney coached Montique Sharpe to honorable mention all-conference honors in 2002. Pace and Sharpe played in post-season all-star games.
In 2001, two of McCartney's three starting defensive linemen were named to the All-ACC team - senior defensive end Nate Bolling and Pace.
Five of the graduates McCartney has coached since coming to Wake Forest have signed NFL contracts. Pace was a first-round draft selection (18th overall pick) of Arizona, Sharpe played for Kansas City, Bolling has spent time with the Baltimore Ravens and in NFL Europe, Nichols signed this past offseason with Washington and Roderick Stephen was with the St. Louis Rams.
McCartney is well-known for his tireless recruiting efforts. Evidence of his work has already been realized, as McCartney has spearheaded the staff's recruiting efforts in the last five signing classes.
In 2006, the Deacons signed 15 prep stars from all over the southeast, including several prospects who were offered by several ACC schools and other BCS conference schools.
The Deacons were particularly pleased to sign six in-state players, all of whom rated highly nationally, including Josh Adams, the 10th-rated running back in the nation; Alex Frye, the 50th-ranked safety; Dennis Godfrey, the 43rd-rated tight end; Tripp Russell, the 88th-ranked defensive end; Marshall Williams, the 142nd-rated wide receiver; and Matt Woodlief, the 41st-best linebacker prospect in America.
Thirteen of the 15 players that Wake Forest signed were ranked in the top 100 at their position by scouting services on a national level.
The class was rated 55th nationally by ESPN.com, the best class brought in by the Deacons in recent memory.
In 2005, Wake Forest inked 22 prep standouts including top in-state products Chris DeGeare, Brandon Ghee, Dominique Midgett and Mike Rinfrette, all of whom were ranked among the state's top 25 players.
In 2004, he helped sign defensive end Jeremy Thompson out of Charlotte who played a major role as a true freshman. The Deacons also signed four of the top players out of Florida including Stanley Arnoux of Glades Day High School and a trio of players from Pahokee, D.J. Boldin, Alphonso Smith and Antonio Wilson.
In 2003, he helped sign Ohio's Mr. Football, Benjamin Mauk, and local product Matthew Brim, who helped lead Carver High School to the 2002 state championship. Included in WFU's 2002 highly-regarded signing class was Parade All-American Bryan Andrews out of Lima, Ohio, WFU's first such honoree since 1984.
McCartney served as Ohio's recruiting coordinator for six seasons and coached the outside linebackers for two years and the defensive line for four.
McCartney came to Ohio with extensive Mid-American Conference experience, having previously coached at two other MAC universities: Ball State (1989-94) and Bowling Green (1985).
At Ball State, McCartney served in numerous coaching positions while helping guide the Cardinals to two MAC titles, and to Raisin Bowl and Las Vegas Silver Bowl appearances.
At Bowling Green, McCartney helped the 1985 Falcons to an undefeated season (11-0), the MAC championship title and the California Raisin Bowl.
McCartney also coached at Wittenberg (OH) University for three years, serving in various capacities including defensive line coach, defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator. He helped the Tigers win a conference crown in 1988 and advance to the second round of the Division III national playoffs. McCartney entered the coaching ranks as a graduate assistant at North Carolina in 1984.
McCartney received a master's degree from UNC in 1985 and a bachelor's degree in physical education and social studies in 1980 from Guilford College. He lettered at inside linebacker at Guilford.
McCartney is a native of Pelham Manor, N.Y. He is married to the former Wendy Torres. She has a son, Spencer Van Fleet.
