Ray McCartney begins his 12th season at Wake Forest and his 18th year alongside head coach Jim Grobe in 2012. McCartney is Wake Forest's recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach.
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 11 signing classes.
Wake's 2004 recruiting class consisted of 14 prospects, 13 of whom became starters during their career at Wake Forest. Of those 14 players, five were eventually drafted by NFL clubs and three others signed as free agents. McCartney helped assemble a class that included Fayetteville's Aaron Curry who would go on to win the Butkus Award and become a first round draft choice of the Seattle Seahawks. Defensive end Jeremy Thompson of Charlotte was a fourth round draft choice of the Green Bay Packers in 2008.
McCartney and the Deacons also signed four of the top players out of Florida that year, including Stanley Arnoux of Glades Day High School and a trio of players from Pahokee: D.J. Boldin, Alphonso Smith and Antonio Wilson. Arnoux and Smith were both drafted by NFL teams in 2009, while Boldin signed as a free agent.
Arnoux recorded 89 tackles as a senior in 2008 and was selected in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. He later went on to win a Super Bowl with the Saints in 2010.
Smith, who finished his career with an ACC-record 21 interceptions, was taken with the No. 37 overall pick in the 2009 draft by the Denver Broncos. He played in 15 games for the Broncos in 2009 and then was traded to Detroit during the 2010 season. Smith recorded five interceptions with the Lions last season.
Thirteen of the 15 players that Wake signed in 2007 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, Wake Forest's best class in recent years.
Nine of the graduates McCartney has coached since coming to Wake Forest have signed NFL contracts. In 2003, Calvin Pace was a first-round draft selection (18th overall pick) of Arizona, In 2008, the Jets signed Pace to a six-year, $42 million contract. Montique Sharpe played for Kansas City, Nate Bolling spent time with the Baltimore Ravens and in NFL Europe, Jerome Nichols signed with Washington and Roderick Stephen was with the St. Louis Rams. Jyles Tucker, who signed with the San Diego Chargers, After an outstanding rookie campaign in 2007, Tucker signed a five-year, $14 million contract with the Chargers.
In 2011, McCartney coached nose guard Nikita Whitlock to second team All-ACC honors in his sophomore season. Whitlock finished the season averaging 1.08 tackles for loss per game, good for fifth in the conference.
McCartney tutored tackle John Russell in 2009 as the senior earned second team All-ACC honors after leading the team in sacks and tackles for loss. Russell signed an NFL contract with the Green Bay Packers following the 2009 season. Nose tackle Boo Robinson also signed an NFL contract following his senior campaign in 2009, inking a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.
As a junior in 2008, Robinson led the Wake defense with five sacks while earning honorable mention All-ACC honors. The Deacon defense held opponents to an average of just 296.7 yards of total offense, leading the way to Wake Forest's win in the inaugural EagleBank Bowl. The season marked just the second time since 1966 that Wake limited its foes to less than 300 yards of total offense per game.
In 2007, McCartney's defensive tackles were the first line of defense for a unit that allowed just 109.4 rushing yards per game, the fourth-best mark in Wake Forest history. Only one opposing player was able to rush for 100 yards against the Deacons, who went on to win the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte.
In 2006, McCartney's defensive front helped the Deacons hold opponents to just 105.8 yards per game and four 100-yard rushers, en route to winning the ACC Championship and making the school's first-ever appearance in the FedEx Orange Bowl.
In 2003, McCartney met the challenge of building a new defensive line. With all three starters graduating off the 2002 Seattle Bowl squad, Jerome 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 also named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year by The Sporting News.
In 2001, two of McCartney's three starting defensive linemen were named to the All-ACC team -- senior defensive end Nate Bolling and Pace.
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 having previously coached at Ball State (1989-94) and Bowling Green (1985).
At BSU, McCartney helped guide the Cardinals to two MAC titles and two bowl appearances. At BGSU, McCartney helped the 1985 Falcons to an undefeated season (11-0), the MAC championship and the California Bowl.
McCartney also coached at Wittenberg (OH) University for three years. 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 college coaching ranks as a graduate assistant at North Carolina in 1984. In 1981, McCartney began his coaching career at New Bern (NC) High School. From 1981-83, he coached at Randleman (NC) High School for legendary coach Charlie Gregory. McCartney helped lead Randleman to three consecutive state titles.
McCartney received a master's degree from UNC in 1985 and a bachelor's degree in 1980 from Guilford College. He lettered at inside linebacker at Guilford.
McCartney is a native of Pelham Manor, N.Y. His wife, Gwen Torres-McCartney, has been a business entrepreneur for over 30 years. Coach McCartney's stepson, Spencer Van Fleet, competes in fencing and enjoys football and basketball.
The Ray McCartney File
Birthdate
November 19, 1958
Birth Place
Bronxville, N.Y.
Hometown
Pelham Manor, N.Y.
Wife
Gwen
Stepson
Spencer
Alma Mater
Guilford College, 1980
Graduate School
UNC Chapel Hill, 1985
Playing Background
Lettered at inside linebacker in 1977 at Guilford College before a career-ending injury.
