Andrew Jackson High coach Quinn Gray resigns; new QB Coach at Florida A&M

Jackson High coach Quinn Gray quits, blames budget crisis

JACKSONVILLE, FL - Quinn Gray wanted to stay on as Jackson High School's football coach. However, the looming elimination of athletics from the Duval County public schools system created too unstable a future.

The former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback resigned his post on Monday to accept an assistant coaching position with Florida A&M, his alma mater. The 31-year-old Gray spent six seasons in the NFL, including the first five (2003-07) with the Jaguars. Facing a $97 million shortfall, Duval County School Board Chairman W.C. Gentry has stated that all athletic programs will be cut if that figure remains largely in tact.



Jackson Football Coach Resigns Amid Cuts

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Andrew Jackson football coach Quinn Gray is leaving Jacksonville disappointed after just one season at the helm. The idea that high school sports could be eliminated altogether is something the former Jaguars quarterback can hardly believe.

"The determining factor was all the uncertainty when it comes to Duval schools and athletics for the season," Gray said of why he's resigning. "It would be a shame for the kids in the upcoming year, because a lot of students use sports as an outlet, and they use it as a motivator as well."

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2010 UDFA Profile: Terrell Whitehead, S, Norfolk State

Norfolk State's free safety Terrell Whitehead #9 is the Spartans first-ever three-time Division I FCS All-American. How this 6-1/196 gem of a defensive player was overlooked and not drafted in 255 picks is a complete mystery to MEAC fans. (photo by Mark Sutton)

We are currently in the midst of the 2010 mini-camp for the Jaguars and unfortunately I am unable to attend. So instead I'll defer to the judgement of those that were able to attend, namely BCC's own Alfie Crow. In his last post, reviewing day 1 of mini-camp, Alfie singled out Norfolk State safety Terrell Whitehead as one of the undrafted free agents that has a chance to make the final roster:

A free agent rookie to keep an eye on is Norfolk State safety Terell Whitehead. He intercepted a Luke McCown pass during what was supposed to be one-on-one drills. Defensive coordinator Mel Tucker told him to jump the route if he could on the play, which Whitehead did, and was abruptly met with a "Hey man! Not fair!" by the intercepted quarterback.

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Terrell Whitehead was the safety to backup Jaguars CB Don Carey at Norfolk State for three years and was a very successful one at that. Whitehead was injured for the first two games of his freshman season, found the field as a reserve for the next five games and started his last four games. From then on, Whitehead was nothing short of a superstar for Norfolk State. In both his sophomore and junior seasons he was named to the 1st team All-MEAC and the 3rd team FCS All-American teams. In his senior season, Whitehead earned a spot on the 1st team All-MEAC and the 1st team FCS All-American teams. He remains the only player in NSU history to earn spots on the All-MEAC and the FCS All-American teams in three years.

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Jackson High hires former FAMU QB Quinn Gray to be its football coach

Gray spent five seasons with NFL Jacksonville Jaguars

Jackson High School (Jacksonville, FL) has a new football coach, and it’s a name that area football fans will undoubtedly recognize. The school has hired former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Quinn Gray. The 30-year-old Gray spent six seasons in the NFL, including the first five (2003-07) with the Jaguars. “It’s truly a privilege and an honor to be part of such a great tradition here at Jackson," Gray said. “Jackson reminds me of my old high school [Dillard] with its great tradition. The student-athletes here measure up and being able to coach at a school with such a great tradition is a great opportunity for me.”

He succeeds Kevin Sullivan, who resigned to take over at Atlantic Coast, the new Duval County high school that opens in the fall. Gray, who is teaching physical education and health at the school, inherits a Jackson program that has posted consecutive 11-1 seasons. Gray spent last season playing for Hartford in the United Football League after his NFL run ended after a year with Kansas City. This will be his first coaching position.

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FAMU's Vann works out for scout for the Jacksonville Jaguars

All-American Rattler LeRoy Vann completed a workout with Jacksonville Jaguars yesterday, sporting a new hair cut. San Francisco, Detroit, Green Bay and Tampa Bay have expressed interest in Vann and expects to be among 20 NFL teams present for FAMU Pro Day Drills on Thursday, March 18.

Nate Koczor, an assistant special teams coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars, had a single focus Monday morning inside Bragg Stadium. He watched former Florida A&;M punt/kick returner LeRoy Vann chase balls for almost 90 minutes. The unannounced workout exclusively for the Jaguars was the first with a pro team for Vann, who wasn't invited to the NFL combine but has since been on the radar of several teams.

As fast as the ball machine pumped them out, Vann snagged one ball after another. He even caught those that he had to pursue after getting up from a laying position, dropping only a couple during the rapid-fire segment of the drill. Koczar wouldn't give his assessment of the workout, but Vann thought he was impressive. "It went well," said Vann, who no longer wears the long locks that he'd worn last season when he was setting NCAA and school records for the Rattlers. "My goal was not to drop any ball but eventually I dropped two. Out of 60 balls, that's good so I feel I did a good job."

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