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After two seasons as defensive backs coach for the Washington Redskins, former Hokie player and coach, Torrian Gray, is apparently out. While the team, or Gray have not publicly spoken, it does appear he’s a part of a housecleaning on the defensive side of the ball.
As @MikeGarafolo said earlier, Torrian Gray is out with the #Redskins. As he hinted, it’s part of a much bigger house cleaning on that side of the ball.
— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) January 8, 2019
Final names aren’t known yet, but a source indicates the changes will be basically whole-sale.
In typical Washington fashion, word leaked that the team was interviewing potential replacements for Gray’s old position before anyone knew Gray was out.
In Gray’s two seasons, the Redskins ranked ninth and 15th in passing yards allowed. He worked with mostly young guys this season, with the exception of veteran Josh Norman. Former Hokies, Greg Stroman and Adonis Alexander, both rookies, and Danny Johnson, an undrafted free agent, were some of the players Gray was tasked with developing.
Stroman had some good moments, and bad ones, too. Typical for a rookie, however, he showed promise as a potential starter somewhere down the line. Alexander played mostly special teams as a rookie.
By most accounts, Gray was doing a good job for Washington. Former NFL veteran Will Blackmon shared his thoughts on Gray and the former Hokie shouldn’t be out of work too long. Gray could be a DBs coach for just about any program in the country. He’s earned that reputation. However, he’s expected to remain in the NFL. With all of the movement of head coaches and defensive coordinators, Gray should know his next destination within the next two-to-three weeks.
If the news about Coach Torrian Gray parting ways with the skins is true that’s unfortunate.
— Will Blackmon (@WillBlackmon) January 8, 2019
He is a good and very smart defensive back coach.
Maybe there is more to the story, I don’t know.
While most Virginia Tech fans would love to see Gray back in Blacksburg, that’s not going to happen. When head coach Justin Fuente took over in late 2015, he cut Gray’s pay before Gray took another job with Florida. After one year with the Gators, Gray spent the last years in the NFL.
Best of luck, Coach Gray. We’re always pulling for you.