Charleston Southern University has announced the appointment of Randall McCray as its new defensive coordinator for the football team. McCray brings more than three decades of coaching experience and will primarily work with the team’s linebackers.
McCray comes to Charleston after serving as defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator at East Tennessee State University during the 2025 season. His career also includes a recent stint as defensive coordinator at Northern Iowa in 2022, along with coaching roles in several other states.
Head Coach Gabe Giardina expressed his enthusiasm for the hire, stating: “We are excited to add Veteran Defensive Coordinator Randall McCray. It is exciting to add someone that has given us so many problems over the years. Coach McCray’s experience speaks volumes about who he is as a football coach and connector with players. The best attributes of Randall’s defenses that I have witnessed over the years are the fanatical effort and unity they play with. I look forward to seeing the relationships that Coach McCray forges in our locker room and with the staff.”
Before joining East Tennessee State, McCray worked at Florida International University overseeing linebackers and spent two seasons coaching special teams with the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL. Over his career, he has held positions at institutions including Clemson, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Middle Tennessee, Gardner-Webb, and Texas State.
While at Gardner-Webb from 2013-2015 as defensive coordinator and secondary coach, his defense limited 13 opponents to fewer than 100 rushing yards. Several players earned All-America or All-Big South honors during his tenure there.
In 2010, McCray served as defensive coordinator at Middle Tennessee where his defense ranked second in scoring defense within their conference. Players under his guidance received individual accolades such as Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year and All-Sun Belt honors.
His earlier coaching stops include Toledo, Illinois State, Murray State, Bethune-Cookman, Clemson, UT Chattanooga, and he began his career as a graduate assistant at South Carolina.
A native of Monroe, North Carolina, McCray played linebacker at Appalachian State University on championship-winning teams before graduating in 1991 with a degree in communications. He later earned a master’s degree from South Carolina. He is married to Michelle; they have two children.
McCray commented on his new role: “I would like to thank Charleston Southern University, and President Keith Faulkner, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics , and Head Football Coach . I am very excited to be a part of the Charleston Southern University family and cannot wait to meet the players and get started.”
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